Information Modeling and Projection For Geographic Regions Having Insufficient Sample Size

Abstract

The various exemplary embodiments provide a method for projecting survey information into a geographic region. The geographic region is divided into a plurality of geographic subregions, each of which are profiled using a plurality of profiling variables to form a selected geographic subregion profile. The profiling variables include both demographic and behavioral variables. A plurality of survey respondents are then randomly assigned into the selected geographic subregion to form a modeled population, with the random assignment weighted based on a representation probability of each of the corresponding plurality of survey respondents for the selected geographic subregion profile, with the representation probabilities having been determined using a sample balancing algorithm. Following such profiling and assignment for all subregions, survey information corresponding to the modeled population is projected into the geographic region.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for using non-resident survey information to model a population of a geographic region, the geographic region having a plurality of geographic subregions, the method comprising:
 using a processing device, profiling one or more people resident in a selected geographic subregion of the plurality of geographic subregions using a plurality of profiling variables to determine a selected geographic subregion population profile;   using a processing device, assigning a plurality of resident survey respondents and a first plurality of non-resident survey respondents to represent the selected geographic subregion population, the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents resident in a plurality of neighboring geographic subregions;   using a processing device, further determining the selected geographic subregion population profile using a weighted combination of a plurality of profiling variables of the plurality of resident survey respondents and a plurality of profiling variables of the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents;   using a processing device, assigning a second plurality of non-resident survey respondents to represent the selected geographic subregion population, the assignment weighted based on a representation probability of each non-resident survey respondent of the second plurality of non-resident survey respondents for the selected geographic subregion population profile; and   using a processing device, using the survey information of the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents and the assigned second plurality of non-resident survey respondents to characterize the resident population of the geographic region.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of profiling variables comprise a plurality of demographic variables, a plurality of behavioral variables, and a plurality of historical variables. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the assignment of the second plurality of non-resident survey respondents is randomized, pseudo-randomized or nondeterministic. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted combination is a weighted average. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein
 using a processing device, repeating the profiling, assignment and determination steps for all geographic subregions of the plurality of geographic subregions.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of profiling variables of the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents are each weighted inversely proportionally to a distance of a non-resident survey respondent from the selected geographic subregion. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the selected geographic subregion population profile is further determined by normalizing the weighted combination of the pluralities of profiling variables based on independent data for the resident population of the selected geographic subregion or geographic region. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the assignment step further comprises:
 using a processing device, determining each representation probability of each of the second plurality of non-resident survey respondents by applying a sample balancing algorithm to a plurality of profiling variables of all survey respondents in comparison to the selected geographic subregion population profile.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the projected survey information further comprises transformed data for regional comparison. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the projected survey information further comprises nationally representative survey information pertaining to one or more types of information selected from the group consisting of: brand usage, age, gender, household income, race, ethnicity, political outlook, education, purchase behavior, media consumption, vehicle information, transportation information, financial information, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 using a processing device, providing a data structure containing at least a portion of the survey information corresponding to the geographic region or the selected geographic subregion.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the data structure has a graphical and textual form. 
     
     
         13 . A system for using non-resident survey information to model a population of a geographic region, the geographic region having a plurality of geographic subregions, the system comprising:
 a memory storing the survey information; and   one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors to profile one or more people resident in a selected geographic subregion of the plurality of geographic subregions using a plurality of profiling variables to form a selected geographic subregion population profile, for each selected geographic subregion of the plurality of geographic subregions; to assign a plurality of resident survey respondents and a first plurality of non-resident survey respondents to represent the selected geographic subregion population, the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents resident in a plurality of neighboring geographic subregions; to further determine the selected geographic subregion population profile as a weighted combination of a plurality of profiling variables of the plurality of resident survey respondents and a plurality of profiling variables of the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents; to assign a second plurality of non-resident survey respondents to represent the selected geographic subregion population, the assignment weighted based on a representation probability of each non-resident survey respondent of the second plurality of non-resident survey respondents for the selected geographic subregion population profile; and to use the survey information of the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents and the assigned second plurality of non-resident survey respondents to characterize the resident population of the geographic region.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of profiling variables comprise a plurality of demographic variables, a plurality of behavioral variables, and a plurality of historical variables. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the assignment of the second plurality of non-resident survey respondents is randomized, pseudo-randomized or nondeterministic. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the weighted combination is a weighted average. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors further are to repeat the profiling, assignment and determination for all geographic subregions of the plurality of geographic subregions. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors further are to weight each of the plurality of profiling variables of the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents inversely proportionally to a distance of a non-resident survey respondent from the selected geographic subregion. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors further are to determine the selected geographic subregion population profile by normalizing the weighted average of the pluralities of profiling variables based on independent data for the resident population of the selected geographic subregion or geographic region. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors further are to determine each representation probability of each of the second plurality of non-resident survey respondents by applying a sample balancing algorithm to a plurality of profiling variables of all survey respondents in comparison to the selected geographic subregion population profile. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors further are to transform the projected survey information for regional comparison. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the projected survey information further comprises nationally representative survey information pertaining to one or more types of information selected from the group consisting of: brand usage, age, gender, household income, race, ethnicity, political outlook, education, purchase behavior, media consumption, vehicle information, transportation information, financial information, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more processors further are to provide and to store in the memory a data structure containing at least a portion of the survey information corresponding to the population of the geographic region or the selected geographic subregion. 
     
     
         24 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions for execution by a computer system for using non-resident survey information to model a population of a geographic region, the geographic region having a plurality of geographic subregions, the non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:
 a plurality of program constructs for profiling one or more people resident in a selected geographic subregion of the plurality of geographic subregions using a plurality of profiling variables to form a selected geographic subregion population profile, for each geographic subregion of the plurality of geographic subregions, the plurality of profiling variables comprising a plurality of demographic variables and a plurality of behavioral variables; for assigning a plurality of resident survey respondents and a first plurality of non-resident survey respondents to represent the selected geographic subregion population, the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents resident in a plurality of neighboring geographic subregions; for including in the selected geographic subregion population profile a weighted average of a plurality of profiling variables of the plurality of resident survey respondents and a plurality of profiling variables of the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents; for assigning a second plurality of non-resident survey respondents of the plurality of survey respondents to represent the selected geographic subregion population, the assignment nondeterministic and weighted based on a representation probability of each non-resident survey respondent of the second plurality of non-resident survey respondents for the selected geographic subregion population profile, for each geographic subregion of the plurality of geographic subregions; and for using the survey information of the first plurality of non-resident survey respondents and the assigned second plurality of non-resident survey to characterize the resident population of the geographic region.