Engineering Data

Analysis
“How many participants
should be chosen for a
survey”?
Sample Size Determination

The sample size is typically

denoted by n and it is always a
positive integer.
Reminders:
Representativeness, not size,
is the more important
consideration.
Reminders:
Use no less than 30 subjects if
possible.

If you use complex statistics, you

may need a minimum of 100 or
more in your sample (varies with
method).
 Methods in Determining the
Sample Size
Estimating the Mean or Average
The sample size required to estimate the
population mean µ to with a level of
confidence with specified margin
of error e, givenby
Z 2
n σ
Where: ≥ ( e )
Z is the z-score corresponding to level of
confidence e is the level of precision.
 Example:
A soft drink machine is regulated so
that the amount of drink dispensed is
approximately normally distributed
with a standard deviation equal to 0.5
ounce. Determine the sample size
needed if we wish to be 95% confident
that our sample mean will be within
+.03 ounce from the true mean.
Z - Table
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
Solve for the are under the curve
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
Solve for the are under the curve
A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1 + 0.95 ) / 2 = 0.975
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
Solve for the are under the curve
A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1 + 0.95 ) / 2 = 0.975

-z 0 z
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
Solve for the are under the curve
A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1 + 0.95 ) / 2 = 0.975

-z 0 z
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
Solve for the are under the curve
A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1 + 0.95 ) / 2 = 0.975

-z 0 z
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
Solve for the are under the curve
A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1 + 0.95 ) / 2 = 0.975

-z 0 z
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
Solve for the are under the curve
A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1 + 0.95 ) / 2 = 0.975
0.95

-z 0 z
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
Solve for the are under the curve
A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1 + 0.95 ) / 2 = 0.975
0.95
+0.025

-z 0 z
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
Solve for the are under the curve
A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1 + 0.95 ) / 2 = 0.975
0.95 +0.025 = 0.975

-z 0 z
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
95%. ThusCL= 0.95
Solve for the are under the curve
A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1 + 0.95 ) / 2 = 0.975
0.95 +0.025 = 0.975

-z 0 z
Z - Table
 Z - Table

A = 0.975
 Z - Table

A = 0.975
 Z - Table

A = 0.975
 Z - Table

A = 0.975

1.9
 Z - Table

A = 0.975

1.9
 Z - Table

A = 0.975

1.9
+ 0.06
 Z - Table

A = 0.975

1.9
+ 0.06
1.96
 Z - Table

A = 0.975

1.9
+ 0.06
Z=1.96
 Solution:
A soft drink machine is regulated so that the amount of
drink dispensed is approximately normally distributed
with a standard deviation equal to 0.5 ounce. Determine
the sample size needed if we wish to be 95% confident
that our sample mean will be within 0.03 ounce from the
true mean.
 Solution:
A soft drink machine is regulated so that the amount of
drink dispensed is approximately normally distributed
with a standard deviation equal to 0.5 ounce. Determine
the sample size needed if we wish to be 95% confident
that our sample mean will be within 0.03 ounce from the
true mean.

The z – score for confidence level 95% in the z – table is 1.96.

 Solution:
A soft drink machine is regulated so that the amount of
drink dispensed is approximately normally distributed
with a standard deviation equal to 0.5 ounce. Determine
the sample size needed if we wish to be 95% confident
that our sample mean will be within 0.03 ounce from the
true mean.

2 in the z – table is 1.96.

The z – score for confidence level 95%
1.96(0.5)
n = 1067.11
( 0.03 )
≥
 Solution:
A soft drink machine is regulated so that the amount of
drink dispensed is approximately normally distributed
with a standard deviation equal to 0.5 ounce. Determine
the sample size needed if we wish to be 95% confident
that our sample mean will be within 0.03 ounce from the
true mean.

2 in the z – table is 1.96.

The z – score for confidence level 95%
1.96(0.5)
n = 1067.11
( 0.03 )
≥
We need a 1068 sample for our study.
 Example:
The administration at a college wishes
to estimate, the proportion of all its
entering freshmen who graduate
wi thi n f o ur y e ars , wi th 9
5 % confidence. Estimate the
minimum size sample required.
Assume that the population standard
deviation is σ =
1.3 and precision level is 0.05.
 Methods in Determining the
Sample Size
Estimating Proportion (Infinite Population)
The sample size required to obtain a confidence
interval for p with specified margin of error e
given by
is 2
Z
n≥( p(1 −
Where: e)
Z is the z-score
p) corresponding to level of
confidence e is the level of precision.
P is population proportion
 Example:
Suppose we are doing a study on the
inhabitants of a large town, and want to find
out how many households serve breakfast
in the mornings. We don’t have much
information on the subject to begin with, so
we’re going to assume that half of the
families serve breakfast: this gives us
maximum variability. So p = 0.5. We want
99% confidence and at least 1% precision.
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
99%. ThusCL= 0.99
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
9%. Thus CL = 0.99
Solve for the are under the curve
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
9%. Thus CL = 0.99

Solve for the are under the curve

A = (1 + CL)/ 2
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
9%. Thus CL = 0.99

Solve for the are under the curve

A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1+
0.99 ) /2
 Solving for Z value
It was given that the confidence level is at
9%. Thus CL = 0.99
Solve for the are under the curve
A = (1 + CL)/ 2 = ( 1 + 0.99 ) / 2 = 0.995
 Z - Table

A = 0.995
 Z - Table

A = 0.995
 Z - Table

A = 0.995

2.5
 Z - Table

A = 0.995

2.5
+
0.07
 Z - Table

A = 0.995

2.5
+
0.0
7
2.5
7
 Z - Table

A =
0.995

2.5
+
0.0
7
Z
=
2.5
 Solution:
Suppose we are doing a study on the inhabitants of a large
town, and want to find out how many households serve
breakfast in the mornings. We don’t have much information on
the subject to begin with, so we’re going to assume that half of
the families serve breakfast: this gives us maximum variability.
So p = 0.5. We want 99% confidence and at least 1% precision.
 Solution:
Suppose we are doing a study on the inhabitants of a large
town, and want to find out how many households serve
breakfast in the mornings. We don’t have much information on
the subject to begin with, so we’re going to assume that half of
the families serve breakfast: this gives us maximum variability.
So p = 0.5. We want 99% confidence and at least 1% precision.
The z – score for confidence level 99% in the z – table is 2.57.
 Solution:
Suppose we are doing a study on the inhabitants of a large
town, and want to find out how many households serve
breakfast in the mornings. We don’t have much information on
the subject to begin with, so we’re going to assume that half of
the families serve breakfast: this gives us maximum variability.
So p = 0.5. We want 99% confidence and at least 1% precision.
The z – score for confidence level 99% in the z – table is 2.57.
2
2.57
n 0.5(1 − 0.5) =
≥ ( 0.01 ) 16,512.25
 Solution:
Suppose we are doing a study on the inhabitants of a large
town, and want to find out how many households serve
breakfast in the mornings. We don’t have much information on
the subject to begin with, so we’re going to assume that half of
the families serve breakfast: this gives us maximum variability.
So p = 0.5. We want 99% confidence and at least 1% precision.
The z – score for confidence level 99% in the z – table is 2.57.
2
2.57
n 0.5(1 − 0.5) =
≥ ( 0.01 ) 16,512.25
We need a 16,513 sample for our study.
 Example:
A dermatologist wishes to estimate the
proportion of young adults who
apply sunscreen regularly before
going out in the sun in the
summer. Find the minimum sample
size required to estimate the
proportion with precision of 3%, p
= 0.35 and 90% confidence.
 Methods in Determining the
Sample Size
Slovin’s Formula (Simplified form of Proportions for
finite population)

Slovin’s formula is used to calculate the

sample size n given the population size and
error. It is computed as
N
n≥
1 + Ne2
Where:
N is the total population
e is the level of
 Example:

A researcher plans to conduct a survey

about food preference of BioStat
students. If the population of students is
1000, find the sample size if the error is
5%.
 Solution:
A researcher plans to conduct a survey about food
preference of BioStat students. If the population of
students is 1000, find the sample size if the margin
of error is 5%.

1000
n ≥ 1 + 1000(0.05)2 = 285.71

The researcher need to survey 286 BioStat students.

 Example:
Using slovin's formula compute for n.
a. N = 2000 and e = 0.05.
b. N = 5000 and e = 0.05.
c. N = 10000 and e = 0.05.
What do you observe?
Computation of Sample size Using
Sample Size Online Calculator

https://select-statistics.co.uk/calculators/sample-size-calculator-population-proportion/
Computation of Sample size Using
Sample Size Online Calculator

https://www.calculator.net/sample-size-calculator.html