As I discussed a while back, statistical sampling is one of the best methods to establish the validity of inventory without having to embark on lengthy and expensive wall-to-wall inventories.
However, there can be a lot of confusion as to how to actually perform statistical sampling inventories and what it all means. So let me begin by recommending two publications that I believe offer excellent background.
The first one is Sampling Techniques (3rd ed.) by William G Cochran. This is a textbook (meaning that it is expensive), but one can find used copies online for under $15. It is extremely comprehensive and perhaps too advanced for our needs. However, it is the best textbook on the subject available for the money, in my opinion.
The next book I will recommend is actually free. The best all around publication, in my opinion, on concepts and techniques for conducting statistical tests is GAO’s Using Statistical Sampling, publication PEMD-10.1.6, freely available online for download. Click on the image above to go to the site.
Now, after sending you reading, I should say that, in order to conduct a statistical sampling inventory we need to know very little statistics. A lot of the confusion is driven by the terminology and interpretation, which is why it helps to understand the background.
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