Important considerations when analyzing health survey data collected using a complex sample design.
Researchers often use survey data to answer important public health policy questions. Examples of common data sources used in public health research include the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the National Health Interview Survey, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, and the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. All these surveys employ a complex sample design to recruit participants into the survey. When performing secondary analyses of complex sample survey data, it is necessary to remind ourselves of the key features of these designs that must be taken into account to produce valid statistical estimates.
Joseph W. Sakshaug is with the Department of Statistical Methods, German Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany. Brady T. West is with the Survey Research Center and the Center for Statistical Consultation and Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Joseph W
JW
Sakshaug
Brady T
BT
West
D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D012107:Research Design; D014481:United States