Activity 2. Search on this Activity 3.

THINK OF THIS

What other formula are readily available in order to determine the number
of sample size for a given population? Cite the formula and give example.

The Cochran Formula

Cochran`s formula is considered especially to determine the number of

sample size for a given population appropriately.

The Cochran formula is:

Where:
 e is the desired level of precision (i.e. the margin of error),
 p is the (estimated) proportion of the population which has the attribute in
question
 q is 1 – p.

Example:
Suppose we are doing a study on the inhabitants of a large town, and
want to find out how many household serve breakfast in the morning. 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. Now let’s say we want 95% confidence and at least 5 per cent – plus or
minus – precision. A 95% confidence level gives us Z values of 1. 96, per the
normal tables, so we get

((1.96)2 (0.5) (0.5)) / (0.05)2 = 385

 So a random sample of 385 household in our target population should be

enough to give us the levels of size we need.

Smaller Size Calculation in Smaller Populations

If the population were studying is small, we can calculate the sample size
in the above formula using this equation.
 Here n o is Cochran’s sample size recommendation, N is the population
size, and n is the new, adjusted sample size. In our earlier example, if there
were just 1000 households in the target population we would calculate:

385 / (1+(384 / 1000)) = 278

 So this for smaller population, all we need are 278 household in our
sample; a substantially smaller population size.

Sample Size

41% of Jacksonville residents said that they had been in a hurricane. How many
adults should be surveyed to estimate the true proportion of adults who have been in a
hurricane, with a 95% confidence interval 6% wide.

Step 1:

Using the data given in the question, figure out the following variables:

za/2: Divide the confidence interval by two, and look that area up in the z-table:
.95 / 2 = 0.475
The closest z-score for 0.475 is 1.96.
E (margin of error): Divide the given width by 2.
6% / 2
= 0.06 / 2
= 0.03
ρ: use the given percentage. 41% = 0.41. If you aren’t given phat, use 50%.
σ : subtract phatfrom 1.
1 – 0.41 = 0.59

Step 2:
Multiply phat by qhat. Set this number aside for a moment.
0.41 × 0.59 = 0.2419
Step 3:
Divide Za/2 by E.
1.96 / .03 = 65.3333333

Step 4:
Square Step 3:
65.3333333 × 65.3333333 = 4268.44444

Step 5:
Multiply Step 2 by Step 4:
0.2419 × 4268.44444 = 1,032.53671
= 1,033 people to survey.