Subsampling of Nonrespondents in the 2017 Census of Agriculture

Excerpts from the report Introduction: As response rates decline, the costs associated with how the survey will be designed, conducted and analyzed to ensure the creditability of results increase. Data collection becomes more difficult and costly, and questions are raised about the best way to address the increased nonresponse bias due to low participation rates. The following report provides an in-depth overview of NASS’s subsampling design to address nonresponse in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. The theory and methodology of subsampling in the survey methodological literature is presented, as well as examples of large, nationally representative sample surveys and censuses that use subsampling to improve response and quality metrics. The subsampling method developed by NASS and the conclusions drawn from this inaugural effort are detailed near the end of the report