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.

Details

Title
Sample size and its importance in research
Author
Andrade, Chittaranjan 1 

 Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Department of Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neurotoxicology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka 
Pages
102-103
Publication year
2020
Publication date
Jan-Feb 2020
Publisher
Sage Publications, New Delhi India
ISSN
02537176
e-ISSN
09751564
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2334981008
Copyright
© 2020. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.