Sample Size and its Importance in Research

2020/01/01 by Chittaranjan Andrade · 2 citations
Decision Sciences · Health Professions · Social Sciences · #Healthcare cost, quality, practices #Meta-analysis and systematic reviews #Methodology and Impact of Social Science Research

paper · doi:10.4103/ijpsym.ijpsym_504_19

openalex publication_date 2020/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

The sample size for a study needs to be estimated at the time the study is proposed; too large a sample is unnecessary and unethical, and too small a sample is unscientific and also unethical. The necessary sample size can be calculated, using statistical software, based on certain assumptions. If no assumptions can be made, then an arbitrary sample size is set for a pilot study. This article discusses sample size and how it relates to matters such as ethics, statistical power, the primary and secondary hypotheses in a study, and findings from larger vs. smaller samples.

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