  In this study we propose a hybrid estimation of distribution algorithm (HEDA)
to solve the joint stratification and sample allocation problem. This is a
complex problem in which each the quality of each stratification from the set
of all possible stratifications is measured its optimal sample allocation. EDAs
are stochastic black-box optimization algorithms which can be used to estimate,
build and sample probability models in the search for an optimal
stratification. In this paper we enhance the exploitation properties of the EDA
by adding a simulated annealing algorithm to make it a hybrid EDA. Results of
empirical comparisons for atomic and continuous strata show that the HEDA
attains the bests results found so far when compared to benchmark tests on the
same data using a grouping genetic algorithm, simulated annealing algorithm or
hill-climbing algorithm. However, the execution times and total execution are,
in general, higher for the HEDA.
