PhD course in Sampling, 4 ECTS
The objective of the course is to give a broad introduction to basic sampling theory and related statistical inference.
Start date: 18 January 2027
End date: 17 February 2027
Language: English
Last day of registration: 16 December 2026
Organiser: Department of Forest resource management
Location: Umeå
The course covers a range of sampling methods used to design efficient and representative studies. The main topics include simple random sampling, systematic sampling, cluster sampling, and stratified sampling, as well as unequal probability sampling and the Horvitz–Thompson estimator. The course also introduces two-stage and two-phase sampling, basic point and plot sampling of an infinite population, line-intercept sampling, and methods for accounting for detectability in sampling. In addition, students learn about line-transect sampling and capture–recapture methods used to estimate the size of a population. Study pace is 50%
Admission requirement: Statistics I: Basic statistics, 4 hp or similar.
On completion of the course, the student will be able to:
• understand basic concepts of sampling from finite and infinite populations
• describe some basic sampling methods including conditions and assumptions
• describe and apply basic estimators for survey sampling
• select an appropriate sampling method for a given problem
• carry out a basic probability sampling survey
• interpret and evaluate results from basic surveys correctly and draw reasonable conclusions
• clearly and concisely communicate results and conclusions
• use statistical software for sampling
The Department reserves the right to cancel the course if there are not more than 5 students who have applied for the course.