The advent of the sample survey in the social sciences

Abstract

It is generally thought that the sample survey was developed in the social sciences in the late 19th century. We trace its inception back to the survey of rural economy that was undertaken by Arthur Young in England in 1768. Young was aware that his survey technique was an important innovation, and he discussed the best method of data collection to ensure that the sample was representative of the population. His contemporaries, such as Davies and Eden, recognized the potential of sample surveys and soon undertook important investigations based on Young's model. Sample surveys declined in importance during the 19th century as census data became more abundant and mathematicians formalized the theory of population statistics.