The design of a nationwide sample for Romanian youths living in rural areas: A multiple solution problem

Abstract

This paper looks into methodological issues of sample design for a specific target population: Romanian youths (aged 16-35) that reside in rural areas. The first part of the paper will provide an overview into general issues that come from demographic trends, such as the overall population decline and especially the wave of emigration to Western Europe, and the pros and cons of the most widely used sampling techniques in Romania. The stages of the survey design itself comprise the second part. The most challenging part was how to reduce undercoverage problem by putting forward a sample frame, namely fieldwork procedures to identify as many elements of the target population as possible under real-life conditions. Multiple solutions were taken into consideration, before choosing one after field testing. The final part features an analysis of the survey focusing on the outcome of the sample design.