Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys Data Processing Workshop Sample Weights MICS Data Processing Workshop

Multiple Indicator Cluster SurveysData Processing Workshop

Sample Weights

MICS Data Processing Workshop

What are sample weights ?

• Sample weight: a statistical correction factor used to correct for imperfections in the sample that might lead to bias:– Unequal probabilities of selection– Non-response

• Constant sampling weight: self-weighting sample

Self-weighting sample

• Constant sampling weight: self-weighting sample– Stratum level (e.g., urban and rural within

region)– National level: overall self-weighting sample

(almost inexistent in household surveys)


• Advantages– Equally representative for every unit – Reduced sampling errors

• Disadvantages:– Difficult for survey management (e.g., to distribute

the work-load) because of the variant sample take by PSU

– Difficult to control the expected sample size


• Disadvantages– Self-weighting is not exact because of the

rounding of the sample takes and this will bring bias in the survey estimation

• In most MICS surveys, if not all, samples are not self-weighting. Therefore, sample weights must be used for reporting national estimates

Example - Sample Weights• For example, the weights for North and West regions

(Popstan) – North region 10,000/500 = 20– West region 10,000/250 = 40

• In North region, each household selected represents 20 households in that region – same figure is 40 in West

• Overall, every household selected in Popstan represents 26.6667 households (20,000/750)

Example - Sample Weights

• In other words, relative to a proportional selection (should be 375 households selected from each region), more households have been selected from North, less have been selected from West

• This has to be “compensated” by using sample weights during analysis to re-calibrate the sample to the national level


• In our example let’s assume that: – 25 percent of households in North use improved

water sources– 75 percent of households in West use improved

water sources• If the sample was selected proportionally (375

households from each region), then our survey estimate would be – ((375 * 0.25) + (375 * 0.75)) / 750 = 0.50


• If we do not weight, then our national estimate will be– ((500 * 0.25) + (250 * 0.75)) / 750 = 0.417– Because, we have over-sampled a region (North

region) where use of improved water sources is less

• We need to calculate sample weights to “correct” this situation


• If we assigned a weight of 20 to each household in North, and 40 to each household in West, this would do the trick

(500 * 20 * 0.25) + (250 * 40 * 0.75)-----------------------------------------------

(500 * 20) + (250 * 40)

= 0.50


• This is fine, but SPSS tables would show 20,000 households as the denominator

• We do not want this• So, we normalize the weights• We calibrate (normalize) them so that the

average of the weights in the data set is equal to 1

Example - Sample Weights• The normalized weight for the North region is

calculated as (10000/500)/(20000/750) = 0.75• And for the West region, (10000/250)/(20000/750)

= 1.5

When we calculate the national use of improved water sources by using normalized weights,

(500 * 0.75 * 0.25) + (250 * 1.5 * 0.75) 375-------------------------------------------------- = -----(500 * 0.75) + (250 * 1.5) 750

Sample weights

• Based on the design of the sample, there are two (common) approaches to calculating weights:– Each cluster has a unique sample weight

(weights.xls)– Each stratum has a unique sample weight

(weights_alt.xls)• We have templates for both. You will need to

work with your sampling expert to see which one you will use

Sample Weights Objects

• weights.xls– spreadsheet that calculates weights

• weights_table.sps– SPSS program that provides input data for spreadsheet

• weights.sps– SPSS program that defines structure of spreadsheet’s output

• weights_merge.sps– SPSS program that merges weights onto the MICS data files

Calculating sample weights

• The spreadsheet weights.xls is used to calculate the sample weights

• It has two worksheets, calculations and output. – The calculations worksheet performs the

calculations– The output worksheet contains only the sample

weights and a list of cluster numbers; format useful for reading the data into SPSS

• Weights calculation template

Calculating and adding sample weights

• weights_table.sps produces data needed for calculating the sample weights

• weights_merge.sps adds the appropriate sample weights to the analysis files

Steps in calculating sample weights

• The process of calculating sample weights and adding them to your analysis files can be broken down into six steps


Step 1• Adjust the number of rows in the calculations

and output worksheets so that there is one row per cluster in your survey. After you have added or deleted rows, be sure to check that doing so did not affect the totals row in the calculations worksheet


Step 2• Enter required information for columns B to F

and for columns H and I


Step 3• Update the definition of strata (or domains) on lines

3 through 10 of the program weights_table.sps• The standard programs assume that strata are

formed by all combinations of area (that is, urban and rural) and region and that there are four regions (the program should be modified to reflect the strata or domains in use in your sample)


Step 4• Execute the program weights_table.sps.


Step 5• Copy the information in the table and

paste it into the calculations worksheet of weights.xls

• When you complete this step, weights.xls will automatically calculate the sample weights


Step 6• Execute the program weights_merge.sps• Once you have completed the sixth step,

be sure to check the output list for error messages and to open the analysis files and confirm that the weights have been properly merged

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Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys Data Processing Workshop Sample Weights MICS Data Processing Workshop