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What Sample Size Do I Need?

Overview
Choosing an appropriate sample size is a common problem and should be given due consideration in any research proposal, as an inadequate sample size invariably leads to wasted resources.  This course aims to give a practical introduction to sample size determination in the context of some commonly used significance tests.
Examples from a scientific background will be used to highlight the problems associated with sample size determination, and suggest potential solutions.  Practical work will be based around the statistical computing packages Minitab, R, SAS and Stata.  The more specialised package PASS may also be used.  Formulae and algebraic notation will be kept to a minimum.

Who Should Attend?
Scientists and related who need to address the problem of sample size determination in planning a study.  Participants will be assumed to have a working knowledge of sampling distributions, confidence intervals and significance tests for both means and proportions.  These materials are covered in our course A Review of Basic Statistics.

How You Will Benefit
This course will give you a sound introduction to sample size determination.  Opportunity will be given to participants to discuss general issues related to sample size.

What Do We Cover?
  • Concepts of significance and power in relation to significance tests
  • Sample size determination for one sample, two samples and paired samples for both t-tests (means) and z-tests (proportions)
  • Effect measures: difference and ratio
  • Practical problems associated with sample size determination and possible solutions
  • The role of confidence intervals
  • Why it can be difficult to determine sample size.

Choice of Software
Practical work may be done in: Minitab, PASS, R, SAS, Stata
Note: For practical work, participants must bring their own laptop with a fully licensed version of their chosen software.



Course Dates
​Next run to be announced

Duration: 1 day
Price: £TBC

Apply Now
(terms and conditions apply)

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  • Home
  • Training
    • Course Registration
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Bespoke Training
    • Mailing List Request
  • Consultancy
    • Expertise
  • Team
    • James Gallagher
    • Sandro Leidi
    • Dankmar Böhning
  • SSC-Stat
  • Resources
  • Contact us
  • Products