Patent ID: 7054828

Claim:
A computer implemented method for analyzing survey data, comprising: (a) selecting a subset of members from a population using probability sampling techniques; (b) obtaining survey responses from the members in said subset and storing said results in an electronic database; (c) generating point estimates of at least one population parameter, including a response to a chosen question in the survey, using a computer processor to compute said point estimates from said survey responses stored in said electronic database; (d) generating confidence bounds for said point estimates using said computer processor; (e) conducting a trend analysis on the point estimates of said at least one populations parameter using said computer processor; wherein the trend analysis is a regular least square regression or a weighted least square regression performed over a predetermined period of time, and wherein said weighted least square regression results are inversely proportional to the variance of point estimates of the population parameter obtained in said generating of point estimates of at least one population parameter steps and generating confidence bounds for said estimates step, and (f) predicting future survey responses of said population based on said trend analysis by calculating a forecast of future values of said population parameter(s) using said computer processor, and wherein said selecting a subset of members from a population step, said obtaining survey responses from the members in said subset step, said generating point estimates of at least one population parameter step, and said generating confidence bounds for said point estimates step are repeated a number of times over regular time intervals.