title: Synthetic estimates for small areas:  problems and results of a simulation experiment.
abstract: The use of special estimation techniques to develop small area data is described using examples from Hungary.  The focus is on the use of synthetic, or SPREE, techniques to increase the reliability of estimates of small-area characteristics.  The techniques are tested using a simulation experiment.  "Ten variables were selected from the 1980 population census.  Their exact values were known.  Four different synthetic estimators were tested and compared with the simple direct estimator.  The ten variables were studied at both a fairly aggregated level (minor domains) and in great detail (mini domains).  The simple direct estimator with the synthetic or composite synthetic estimators shows an improvement of average reliability of 40 to 50 per cent."
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marton
mesh_terms: D019049:Developed Countries; D005060:Europe; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D006814:Hungary; D008722:Methods; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011158:Population Growth; D012106:Research; D013223:Statistics as Topic
keywords: Comparative Studies; Developed Countries; Eastern Europe; Estimation Technics; Europe; Hungary; Methodological Studies; Models, Theoretical; Population Growth Estimation; Research Methodology