A Unified Theory of Sampling from Finite Populations
V. P. Godambe · Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series B (Statistical Methodology) · 1955
Summary The most general type of linear estimate is defined for a general sampling design. It is demonstrated that an unbiased linear estimate with least variance does not exist uniquely for the entire class of linear estimates. A slightly modified criterion for best estimate, with reference to certain given prior information is proposed. Some sampling designs have been analysed accordingly.