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Chapter 6 Sample Size Estimation

This document discusses factors to consider when determining sample size for research studies. It outlines five key factors: confidence level, population variability, margin of error, population proportion, and population size. Formulas are provided for calculating minimum sample size needed for single proportion and single mean estimation. An example shows how to use the single proportion formula to determine that a sample size of 374 is needed to estimate brand awareness within 5% of the true population proportion at 95% confidence.

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Reta Habtamu
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221 views13 pages

Chapter 6 Sample Size Estimation

This document discusses factors to consider when determining sample size for research studies. It outlines five key factors: confidence level, population variability, margin of error, population proportion, and population size. Formulas are provided for calculating minimum sample size needed for single proportion and single mean estimation. An example shows how to use the single proportion formula to determine that a sample size of 374 is needed to estimate brand awareness within 5% of the true population proportion at 95% confidence.

Uploaded by

Reta Habtamu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 6

Sample size estimation


Five key factors
• Confidence level: how certain you want to be that the population
figure is within the sample estimate and its associated precision.

• Variability in the population: the standard deviation is the most


usual measure and often needs to be estimated.

• Margin of error or precision: a measure of the possible difference


between the sample estimate and the actual population value.

• The population proportion: the proportion of items in the population


displaying the attributes that you are seeking.

• Population size: only important if the sample size is greater than 5%


of the population in which case the sample size reduces.
Sample size determination
• How many subjects are needed in the sample
to enable draw conclusion on the whole
population?
– Depends on expected variation in the data and
number of units per cell for analysis
– The eventual sample size is a compromise (trade-
off) between what is desirable and what is feasible
Sample size cont…
• Minimum sample size can be calculated
depending on the objective of the study
– Estimation of population parameter with certain
precision
• Single variable estimation (single population mean,
proportion or rate)
• Descriptive studies - Prevalence, coverage and utilization
rate studies
– Test of significant difference between groups
• Analytic studies - comparative cross-sectional, case-
control, cohort and clinical trials
Sample size - single proportion
• For making confidence limit statement (such as
prevalence study), the following formula can be used to
estimate minimum sample size:
2
 Z  P 1  P 

n  2 

d2
• For population <10,000, use finite population correction
2
N  Z   P1  P 
nf   2
2
d  N  1   Z   P1  P 
2
 2
Single proportion cont…
• Parameters in the formula
– n is minimum sample size
– P is estimate of the prevalence rate for the population
• From available data, or Pilot study result, or 0.5 should be
used to get the possible minimum large sample size; if given
in range, take the value closest to 0.5.
– d is the margin of sampling error tolerated
– Z1-α/2 is the standard normal variable at (1-α )% confidence level
and α is mostly taken to be 5%
• Usually 95% confidence level is used = 1.96
– N population size
Example
Five years ago a survey showed that 42% of
consumers were aware of the company’s brand
(Consumers were either “aware” or “not aware”)
After an intense ad campaign, management will
conduct another survey. They want to be 95%
confident (95 chances in 100) that the survey
estimate will be within + 5% of the true share of
“aware” consumers in the population.
What is n?
www.revolutionpharmd.com 7
Z=1.96 (95% confidence)

p=42% (p, q and e must be in the same units)

q=100% - p%=58%

e= + 5%

What is n?=3.84(.58*.42) =374


0.25

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if we use a sample size of 374, after the survey,
we can say the following is the results:
(Assume results show that 55% are aware)
“Our most likely estimate of the percentage of
consumers that are “aware” of our brand name
is 55%. In addition, we are 95% confident that
the true share of “aware” customers in the
population falls between 52.25% and 57.75%.”
Note that: ( + .05 x 55% = + 2.75%) !!!!

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Exercise
• What sample size do we need to estimate the
prevalence of HIV among residents of a town such
that the error of estimation is within 5% of its actual
parameter with 95% confidence?
Sample size- Single mean
• The approach used is SE
• The required (minimum) sample size for a large
population is given by

𝒁𝜶/𝟐 𝟐 𝝈𝟐
𝒏=
𝒆𝟐
e - required size of standard error
𝜎 standard deviation

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EXAMPLE
A health officer wishes to estimate mean
hemoglobin level in a defined community .From
preliminary contact he thinks this mean is about
150mg/l with a standard deviation of 32mg/ml.if he
is willing to tolerate a sampling error up to 5mg/l in
his estimate how many subjects should be included

in his study?( =5%,two sided)

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Given Z =1.96
s.d=32 m/l
e=5 mg/l
Required =n ?
Formula =n=Z2  2/w2
Solution n=(1.96)2(32)2/52
=~ 158 persons

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