Data collection involves a range of activities, from the individual in a library extracting information from volumes of national and international statistics to a team of thousands carrying out a national census. In this conference/symposium, we will consider most of that range, covering techniques of inquiry from the case study to the census, but give major emphasis to data collection by sample survey.
Although the basic ideas of sampling are very old, the development of sampling theory is comparatively new, and is one of the major intellectual achievements of the 20 th century. It provides a logical conceptual framework by which estimates of the characteristics of a population can be inferred from the results of an examination of only a sample of that population.
The special difficulties of conducting surveys especially in developing countries, like Pakistan , derive from our socio-economic structure. Pakistan is in a period of rapid transition – demographically, economically and culturally. Birth and death rates, rural-urban migration, population are major subjects investigated by sample surveys, but it presents particular problems.
Clearly, no general solutions can be offered. Our aim is to provide a description of the problems that identifies their common features, and a discussion of the techniques that have been developed to deal with them. Although we shall not deal directly with sampling theory, we cannot and do not ignore it. Indeed, one of our major aims is to enable investigators to develop an appropriate marriage of theory and practice. The minimum amount of information required to meet policy needs should be established.
We hope that this conference will help data collecting agencies, surveyors and researchers to appreciate and overcome some of the difficulties they are likely to encounter, and that it may assist in promoting fruitful discussions between them and international statisticians they consult. We shall be well satisfied if we have at least mapped adequately some tracks through the morass of difficulties the investigator will encounter.
The role of theoretical as well as applied statistics in Government and private organizations with the latest developments and its practical applications is an essential and integral part. College of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences, being the premier institution of higher education in Statistics in Pakistan , is promoting research and education of applied/mathematical statistics, actuarial science, biostatistics and operation research for the market based needs. The deliberations of this Conference will provide a platform for greater research activities and interaction between national and international organizations and scholars.
Moreover, the Conference will also provide a useful opportunity to the participants (Govt. and private organizations) to share knowledge of their latest researches in different fields of Statistics and to develop future collaborations across disciplines and borders. The problems being faced by the organizations during the practical applications of statistics, actuaries, biostatistics and operations research will be discussed in detail and possible solutions through statistical data analysis and software like R, S-Plus, SAS, Stata and SPSS, |
