Optimum allocation in the multivariate cluster sampling design under Gamma cost function

摘要

In this paper, the authors formulated the problem of finding optimum values of cluster size and sampling units for multivariate cluster sampling surveys. In multivariate case, the use of individual optimum allocations is not advisable. For such cases, any suitable criterion is required to decide the acceptable cluster size and sampling unit which may be optimum for all characteristics under study. Moreover, the use of Gamma cost function is introduced for the study of multivariate cluster sampling surveys. The problem is formulated as an All Integer Nonlinear Programing Problem (AINLPP). In this paper, the solution procedures are suggested for solving the formulated AINLPP. The numerical examples show the practical applications of the solution procedures for multivariate cluster sampling design.