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National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (CCMA)
Weekly Report – October 1, 2008
Newly Released Sampling Design Tool for ArcGIS Improves Efficiency and Lowers Costs
Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment scientists recently released a Geographic Information System (GIS) Sampling Design Tool for science planning that improves sampling efficiency by integrating maps at relevant spatial scales into survey designs, while balancing factors such as statistical power, precision, and cost. The Sampling Design Tool has two main functions: 1) to help select a sample from a population, and 2) to perform sample design analysis. When these functions are combined iteratively, the tool effectively and simply achieves the goal of sample surveys —to obtain accurate, high precision estimates of population metrics while minimizing cost. The tool and the technical manual can be downloaded from http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/products/biogeography/sampling/welcome.htm. For more information, contact Charles Menza at (301) 713-3028 x107 or Charles.Menza@noaa.gov, or Ken Buja at (301) 713-3028 x140 or Ken.Buja@noaa.gov.