Scribd
Upload
8 views16 pages

Research Methodology Lecture 7

Uploaded by

kwartengosbert123
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
8 views16 pages

Research Methodology Lecture 7

Uploaded by

kwartengosbert123
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
You are on page 1/ 16

Research Methodology &

Statistics

AGEC 603
Lecture 7

Charles Yaw Okyere (Dr. Agr.)


OUTLINE

Choosing a Sample Size


Confidence Intervals
Estimating a Sample Size
Choosing a Sample Size
How large should the sample be?
Obviously:

The larger the sample the smaller the sampling


error
Sampling error depends on the actual size of the
sample
Sampling error depends not only on the sample
size but also on the sample design
Choosing a sample size
Sampling error: sample mean (ẋ) - pop mean μ
Sampling error
generally decreases as the sample size increases (but not
proportionally)
depends on the size of the population under study
depends on the variability of the characteristic of interest in the
population
can be accounted for and reduced by an appropriate sampling
plan
can be measured and controlled in probability sample surveys
Choosing a sample size
Confidence Interval: the range of values
constructed from sample data so the computed
parameter occurs within that range at a specified
probability:
90% of the sample mean selected from a
population will lie within 1.64 SD of the
population mean
95% of the sample mean selected from a

population will lie within 1.96 SD of the


population mean
99% will lie 2.58 SD
Choosing a Sample Size
What are required in choosing a sample size?
 When sample data is collected and the sample mean ẋ
is calculated, that sample mean is typically different from
the population mean μ.
 This difference between the sample and population
means can be thought of as an error (sampling error).
 We compute confidence interval based on a simple
random sample of size as:
ẋ + z*σ/ √n
confidence level for an interval determines the probability that the
confidence interval produced will contain the true parameter value
Estimating a Sample Size…..
For example: suppose a student calculated the
sample mean of maize output of farmers to be
101.82 kg/acre, with standard deviation (σ) of
0.49. The critical value (z) for a 95% confidence
interval is 1.96. n = 10
A 95% confidence interval for the unknown mean
is: ẋ + z*σ/ √n
((101.82 - (1.96*(0.49/√10)) = 101.82 - 0.304 = 101.52
(101.82 + (1.96*(0.49/√10)) = 101.82 + 0.304 =102.12

So the confidence level for mean output lies in (101.52, 102.12)


Estimating a Sample Size…..
Margin of error
E = z*σ/ √n
The margin of error is the maximum difference
between the observed sample mean and the
true value of the population mean
Rearranging this formula, we can solve for the sample
size (n) necessary to produce results accurate to a
specified confidence and margin of error:
n = [zσ/E]2
n = z2σ2/E2
Estimating a Sample Size…..
Using the formula for our earlier example

n = z2σ2/E2

n = (1.96)2 (0.49)2/(0.05)2
= (3.8416) (0.2401) / 0.0025
= 0.9224 / 0.0025
= 368.9 approx 370
So we will require a sample size of 370 farm
outputs to generate that level of confidence
Sample size computation…..
In farm based sampling, usually proportions of certain attributes are know (%
adopters, for example); and for a survey design based on a simple random
sample, the sample size required can be calculated according to the formula
n = z² x p(1-p) / m²

n = required sample size


z= confidence level at 95% (standard value of 1.96)
p = estimated prevalence of farm attribute in the project area
m = margin of error at 5% (standard value of 0.05)

n= 1.96² x .3(1-.3) / .05²


n = 3.8416 x .21 / .0025
n = .8068 / .0025 = 322.72 ~ 323

Most often estimated prevalence of attribute not known. Recommended


to use maximum variance of p = 0.5
Sample size computation…..
Design Effect: In other sampling designs and studies, a design effect is
introduced—(STUDENTS TO READ ON THIS)

For example, in anthropometric surveys designed as a cluster sample (a


representative selection of villages), not a simple random sample we need to
correct for the difference in design, and the sample size is multiplied by the
design effect (D).
The design effect is generally assumed to be 2 for nutrition surveys using
cluster-sampling methodology: n x D = 323 x 2 = 646
Then allow Contingency
The sample is further increased by 5% to account for contingencies such as
non-response or recording error: n + 5% = 646 x 1.05 = 678.3 ˜ 678

CAUTION: There are several sample size determination techniques/formulae. Please


consult a Statistician for your work/study
What to do--Sampling
1. Decide first whether you want to draw a sample and if so,
whether it should be a probability sample or a non-probability
sample. The decision depends on:
(a) obj of study
(b) extent of generalization
(c) resource factors
2. Calculate the size of the sample required for your study
3. Bear in mind the ff:
1. A larger sample will yield more accurate results but will be more costly
than a smaller sample

2. A probability sample will provide quantitative data more representative


of a larger pop than will a non-probability sample, BUT, a non-probability
sample can be designed as to maximize insightful qualitative data from a
relatively small sample
ANALYZING DATA
Graphs, Plots, Statistical methods
Statistical Moments
Mean, Variance
Distributions

Econometric [Regression analyses]


OLS / 2SLS / 3SLS
Maximum Likelihood Estimation Methods
Quantal Choice Methods
Formatting the Questions
Open-ended questions
Fill in the Blank
Yes-No questions
Multiple Choice
Intensity Scale [used to measure strength]
Likert Questions [used to evaluate policy]
RESEACH METHODOLOGY

END OF METHODOLOGY
STUDENT FEEDBACK
STATISTICS
What is STATISTICS?

You might also like