Risma, Mary Grace U. BEED 2-A (Module 5, Lesson 1 Application)
Risma, Mary Grace U. BEED 2-A (Module 5, Lesson 1 Application)
Risma, Mary Grace U. BEED 2-A (Module 5, Lesson 1 Application)
3. What are the factors to consider in determining the appropriate sample size for a
study? Explain each briefly.
The factors to consider in determining the appropriate sample size
for a study are the following:
Type of Research -correlational research should have at least 30
subjects. In research comparing groups, there should be a minimum
of 15 subjects per group.
Research Hypothesis -if the researcher expects to find small
differences or slight relationships, it is desirable to have as large
sample as possible.
Financial Constraints -the cost of conducting a study will limit the
number of subjects included in the sample. It is best to estimate
these costs before starting the study.
Importance of the Results -in exploratory research, a smaller sample
size is acceptable because the researcher is willing to tolerate a
larger margin of error in the results. In researchers where large
amount of money is involved, it is imperative for the researcher to
attain a sample large enough so that error is minimized.
Number of Variables Studied –a larger sample is needed for studies
that have many independent and dependent variables or for studies
in which uncontrollable variables are present.
Methods of Data Collection -if methods of collecting information are
not highly accurate or consistent, a larger sample will be needed to
offset the inherent error in data collection.
Accuracy needed -the accuracy of the results of a study is greater as
the sample size increases.
Size of the Population -as the size of the population increases, the
researcher can take a progressively smaller percentage of the
respondents from the population.