Sample Size For Surveys

Dr. Muna Hassan Mustafa

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences International University of Africa

Sample Versus Census

SAMPLE A part of the population from which we actually collect information which is used to draw conclusions about the whole population. CENSUS when every member of the population has data collected from them

Why take a sample ?

Sample versus census

Efficiency in time, resources, and expense If conducted properly will give precise results that can be generalized to the whole population

Before starting
Set study objectives

Variables and their types

Qualitative (categorical)

Quantities (numerical)

Before starting
Study population:
Case definition Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Before starting
Frame of the study population: A comprehensive list of the elements of the study population

Sample size (how much)

Foundations for Sample Size Determination

Cochrans formula A/ Primary indicators (Variables) of Measurement: Decisions as to which indicators (variables) will be incorporated for the estimation
Qualitative indicator (variable) Quantitative indicator (variable) Multi-indicator

Calculate more than one sample

Foundations for Sample Size Determination

B/The level of precision or accuracy required by the survey: 1/ the margin of error the researcher is willing/desire to accept how much do desire the true value to be away from your results? the depends on what the results are intended for.

Foundations for Sample Size Determination

For a qualitative variable, a 5% margin of error would result in the researcher being confident that the proportion of respondents who were male was within 5% of the proportion calculated from the research sample: Usually taken as 5% (qualitative variables) or 3% for quantitative variables

Foundations for Sample Size Determination

2/ the alpha/Confidence level :This is how confident you feel about your error level The alpha/Confidence level used in determining sample size is usually either 95% or 99% (its value in t or z distribution)

Foundations for Sample Size Determination

C/ The amount of variation present in the population for the particular aspect (variable) of interest: (1) take the sample in two steps, and use the results of the first step. (2) use pilot study results (3) use data from previous studies (4) estimate or guess the structure of the population

Basic Sample Size Determination

Continuous Data: (z)2 * (s)2 n= ----------------(d)2 Where: z = value for selected alpha level = 1.96 s = estimate of standard deviation in the population d = acceptable margin of error for mean

Basic Sample Size Determination

Categorical Data: (z)2 * (p)(q) n= --------------------(d)2 Where: z = value for selected alpha level = 1.96. (p)(q) = estimate of variance d = acceptable margin of error for proportion being estimated = .05

Basic Sample Size Determination

Design Effect When a cluster sample is used to correct for the difference in design, the sample size is multiplied by the design effect (D). The design effect is generally assumed to be 2 for nutrition surveys using clustersampling methodology

Basic Sample Size Determination

Non response: research studies often use voluntary participation methods, the response rates are typically well below 100% errors of estimates are increased because the sample actually obtained is smaller than the target sample

four methods may be used to determine the anticipated response rate: (1) take the sample in two steps (2) use pilot study results (3) use responses rates from previous studies (4) estimate the response rate

 After calculating the sample size you divide by (1-response rate (r))

Sampling techniques (how to select)

Types of sampling
Probability sampling: which every unit in the population has a chance (greater than zero) of being selected in the sample and this probability can be accurately determined

 Nonprobability sampling: where some elements of the population have no chance of selection where the probability of selection can't be accurately determined.

Types of Probability sampling

simple random sample : is the simplest of the probability sampling techniques. Each individual is chosen randomly and entirely by chance, such that each individual has the same probability of being chosen at any stage during the sampling process

 It requires a complete sampling frame suits situations where not much information is available about the population Can not be used If the population is widely dispersed the population itself is not homogeneous

 Systematic sampling: involve the selection of elements from an ordered sampling frame. The most common form of systematic sampling is an equal-probability method, in which every kth element in the frame is selected, where k, the sampling interval (sometimes known as the 'skip'), is calculated as: sample size (n) = population size (N) /k

 The researcher must ensure that the chosen sampling interval does not hide a pattern

Stratified Sample
Study population is stratified according to some specific variables From each stratum select sample size according to the weight of the stratum (proportional allocation) Use simple or systematic sampling techniques

Cluster Sample
The study population is naturally divided into groups (clusters) Select a number of clusters using probability proportional to size sampling technique From each cluster select equal sizes of sample size Use simple or systematic sampling technique

non-probability sample
Subjects in a non-probability sample are usually selected on the basis of their accessibility or by the purposive personal judgment of the researcher.

CONVENIENCE SAMPLING
is probably the most common of all sampling techniques. samples are selected because they are accessible to the researcher. Subjects are chosen because they are easy to recruit. is considered easiest, cheapest and least time consuming

JUDGMENTAL SAMPLING
Is commonly known as purposive sampling. subjects are chosen to be part of the sample with a specific purpose in mind. the researcher believes that some subjects are more fit for the research compared to other individuals.

SNOWBALL SAMPLING
is usually done when there is a very small population size. the researcher asks the initial subject to identify another potential subject who also meets the criteria of the research. The downside of using a snowball sample is that it is hardly representative of the population.