SAMPLE SIZE

Sampling size depends up on

Number of observations Denoted by n Positive integer

What should be the sample size

For example the researcher wants to

determine prevalence of eye problems in school children and wants to conduct a survey.The question that should be answered in all sample surveys is How many participants should be chosen for a survey?

The criteria used for determine the sample size

The level of precision The confidence level Degree of variability

The level of precision

Estimating the population characteristics based on mean Its also called standard error of estimate It is the range in which the true value of the population is estimated to be For eg:If a researcher finds that 70% of farmers in

the sample have adopted a recommend technology with a precision rate of +/-5% he conclude that between 65% and 75% of farmers in the population have adopted the new technology.

The confidence level

It is the statistical measure of the number of

times out of 100 that results can be expected to be within a specified range. Average value of an attribute obtained is equal to the true population value

Degree of variability
The degree of variability varies considerably The more heterogeneous a, population larger

the sample size required to get optimum level of precision

Approaches to determine sample size are,

Census for smaller population Using published tables Imitating a sample size of similar studies Applying formulas to calculate a sample size.

Size of the sample depends on