HTS Weighting Manual

Author

RSG

Welcome, Weighter!

This manual is a narrative guide to RSG’s HTS weighting workflow. It pairs runnable code with plain-language explanations so analysts can trace how inputs become analysis-ready weights. Code that generates tables and figures are interspersed throughout the code that generates the weights, so technical reviewers can see exactly what changed and why.

As a fully annotated version of RSG’s weighting “scripts,” or implementation of the weighting tools (RSG’s hts.weighting package) and configuration (.yaml settings), this workbook can be used in any of these three ways:

  1. Run it end-to-end to reproduce RSG’s delivered weights by executing quarto render manual in terminal from the repository root.
  2. Step into individual .qmd chapters in manual/ using an IDE like Positron or RStudio to edit or debug code.
  3. Read the rendered Quarto manual on GitHub Pages for detailed context, explanations, and visual QAQC of the weighting implementation.

What’s in Here

This manual is organized into three parts:

Part 1: Configuration

This section mirrors some of the content found in the root of the repository (e.g., README.md, USAGE.md, and INSTALL.md), while the introduction chapter provides additional context on the weighting methodology and intended audience.

  • Introduction: Overview of the HTS weighting methodology, its audience, and prerequisites.
    Open chapter

  • Installation: Step-by-step guide to installing and setting up the hts.weighting toolkit.
    Open chapter

  • Configuration: Detailed instructions for configuring the hts.weighting pipeline using YAML schemas.
    Open chapter

  • Usage: Guide on running hts.weighting pipeline via Quarto.
    Open chapter

Part 2: Workflow

This section contains the core chapters that document each step of the weighting process, from data preparation to final weight adjustments.

  • Geographic Data Preparation: Prepares geographic data by aligning survey inputs, Census controls, and study zones for consistent analysis.
    Open chapter

  • Target Data Preparation: Constructs demographic and geographic control totals from ACS/PUMS data for weighting targets.
    Open chapter

  • Survey Data Preparation: Cleans, imputes, and formats HTS survey data for integration with PopulationSim.
    Open chapter

  • Round 1 Weighting: Demographic Calibration: Generates initial household weights to align survey data with Census targets while minimizing variance.
    Open chapter

  • Round 2 Weighting: Day-Pattern Adjustment: Adjusts weights for day-pattern reporting biases across different diary methods.
    Open chapter

  • Round 3 Weighting: Trip Weight Adjustment: Refines trip-level weights to address reporting biases and ensure accurate trip-type representation.
    Open chapter

Part 3: Reference

This section includes supplementary materials to support understanding and implementation of the weighting process.