Optimum Allocation for Adaptive Multi-Wave Sampling in R: The R Package optimall

Abstract

The R package optimall offers a collection of functions that efficiently streamline the design process of sampling in surveys ranging from simple to complex. The package's main functions allow users to interactively define and adjust strata cut points based on values or quantiles of auxiliary covariates, adaptively calculate the optimum number of samples to allocate to each stratum using Neyman or Wright allocation, and select specific units to sample based on a stratified sampling design. Using real-life epidemiological study examples, we demonstrate how optimall facilitates an efficient workflow for the design and implementation of surveys in R. Although tailored towards multi-wave sampling under two- or three-phase designs, the R package optimall may be useful for any sampling survey.