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L6 Sample Size Estimation

This document discusses sample size determination for different study designs. It explains that sample size is estimated to ensure a study is large enough to detect important effects but not too large as to waste resources. The key factors in determining sample size are the level of precision desired, estimated proportion or measure of variation in the population, desired confidence level, and power needed to detect real differences. Formulas are provided to calculate required sample sizes for estimating a single proportion or mean, comparing two proportions or means, and considerations for finite populations. Examples demonstrate how to apply the formulas.

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ASHENAFI LEMESA
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58 views

L6 Sample Size Estimation

This document discusses sample size determination for different study designs. It explains that sample size is estimated to ensure a study is large enough to detect important effects but not too large as to waste resources. The key factors in determining sample size are the level of precision desired, estimated proportion or measure of variation in the population, desired confidence level, and power needed to detect real differences. Formulas are provided to calculate required sample sizes for estimating a single proportion or mean, comparing two proportions or means, and considerations for finite populations. Examples demonstrate how to apply the formulas.

Uploaded by

ASHENAFI LEMESA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Sample Size Determination

By: Nigussie Yohanes(MPH in Epid & Biost, Assistant


Professor)

February 11,2023
Course objectives
• What is sampling?
• What is the importance of taking sample?
• Disadvantages of taking sample?
• Sample size determination for different
studies?
Sample Size Estimation

 Deciding how many people needed to be studied in order to


answer the study objectives.
 The eventual sample size is usually a compromise between
what is desirable and what is feasible.
 If the study is too small we may fail to detect important effects
or may estimate effects too imprecisely.
 If the study is too large then we will waste resources.

 The feasible sample size is determined by the availability of


resources.
Sample Size Estimation …

 It is also important to remember that resources are not only

needed to collect the information, but also to analyze it.

 In general it is much better to increase the accuracy of data


collection by:
 Improving the training of data collectors and

 Data collection tools than to increase the sample size after a certain
point.
Sample size determination

 Given confidence interval

mean ( proportion )  z  s.e


2

 Hence the absolute precision denoted by d is given as

d  z  s.e
2

 Where s.e is the standard error of the estimator of the parameter of interest.
1. Estimating a single population proportion

– Estimate how big the proportion might be (P)

– Choose the margin of error you will allow in the estimate of the
proportion (say ± w)

– Choose the level of confidence that the proportion in the whole


population is indeed between (p-w) and ( p + w)

– We can never be 100% sure. Do you want to be 95% sure?


Single population proportion
 Let p denotes proportion of success, then
Points to be considered

1. If sampling is from a finite population of size N < 10.000, then

Where n0 is the sample from an infinite population

2. The initial sample size approached in the study may need to be


increased in accordance with the expected response rate, loss
to follow up, lack of compliance and any other predicted
reasons for loss of subjects.
Example 1

a) p = 0.26 , w = 0.03 , Z = 1.96 ( i.e., for a 95% C.I.)

n = (1.96)2 (.26 × .74) / (.03)2 = 821.25 ≈ 822

Thus, the study should include at least 822 subjects.

b) If the above sample is to be taken from a relatively small population


(say N = 3000);

The required minimum sample will be obtained from the above


estimate by making some adjustment.

= 821.25 / (1+ (821.25/3000)) = 644.7 ≈ 645 subjects


2. Estimating a single population mean

 The same approach is used but with SE = σ / √n

 The required (minimum) sample size for a very large population is


given by:
Example:
 Health professionals wishes to estimate mean hemoglobin level in a
defined community.
 From preliminary contact they think that this mean is about 150 mg/l with
a standard deviation of 32 m/l.
 If they are willing to tolerate a sampling error of up to 5 mg/l in their
estimate, how many subjects should be included in their study? (α =5%,
two sided)

Solution:

- If the population size is assumed to be very large, the required sample size
would be: n = (1.96)2 (32)2 / (5)2 = 157.4 ≈ 158 persons
- If the population size is, say 2000,

The required sample size would be 146 persons.

NB: σ2 can be estimated from previous similar studies or could


be obtained by conducting a small pilot study.
3. Comparison of two Proportions

 n = (p1q1 + p2q2) (f(,)) / ((p1 - p2)²

 α = type I error (level of significance)

 β = type II error ( 1-β = power of the study)

 power = the probability of getting a significant result

 f (α , β) =10.5, when the power = 90% and α = 5%.


E.g. the proportion of nurses leaving the health service is compared between
two regions. In one region 30% of nurse is estimated to leave the service
within 3 years of graduation. In other region it is probably 15%.

Solution:
 The required sample to show with 90% power that the percentage of nurses
is different in these two regions would be:(assume a confidence level of
95%)
 n = (1.28+1.96)2 ((0.3×0.7) +(0.15 ×0.85)) / (0.30 - 0.15)2 = 158

 Therefore, 158 nurses are required in each region.


4. Comparison of two means

 n = (s12 + s22) f(,) / (m1 - m2)2

 m1 and s1 2 are mean and variance of group 1 respectively.

 m2 and s2 2 are mean and variance of group 2 respectively.

 E.g. the birth weights in districts A and B will be compared.

 In district A the mean birth weight is expected to be 3000 grams


with a standard deviation of 500 grams.
 In district B the mean is expected to be 3200 grams with a standard
deviation of 500 grams.
Solution:
 The required sample size to demonstrate (with a power of 90%) a
significant difference between the mean birth weights in districts A
and B would be:
 n = (1.96 + 1.28 )² (500 + 500)² / (3200 – 3000)²

 = 131 newborn babies in each district

 Note that f(α,β) = 10.5

 That is, α =0. 05 (two sided) ⇒ Z = 1.96

 β = (1- 0.9) = 0.1 (one sided) ⇒ Z = 1.28

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