Professional Documents
Culture Documents
3-6-18 Calculating Sample Size
3-6-18 Calculating Sample Size
8.4 (2018).notebook March 06, 2018
Review the 3 formulas so far and when to use them
Put onto side board, then use this for posting on line.
If using Sx because
Use if is known
is unknown
Used to help estimate the population mean by using the
sample mean
Used to help estimate the population proportion by using the
sample proportion
Stats 8.4 (2018).notebook March 06, 2018
Choosing the sample size.
In research projects, it is a good idea to decide in advance on the
confidence level you wish to use and to select the maximum margin
of error E you want for your project. Once you have decided on
these, then you need to calculate how large your sample size needs
to be to accomplish your goal.
You can calculate the sample size by rearranging the formulas we
have so far in this chapter.
Stats 8.4 (2018).notebook March 06, 2018
To find n you must know the value of σ. If the
value of σ is not known, you may be
able to estimate it from an earlier study.
Otherwise, do a pilot study using a
sample size of n > 30 and use s as an
estimate for σ.
Stats 8.4 (2018).notebook March 06, 2018
Light Fixtures Assembly
Suppose we need the mean time μ to assemble a
switch. In 45 observations, s = 78 seconds. Find
the number of additional observations needed to
be 90% sure that and μ will differ by no more
than 15 seconds.
How many more observations do we need?
Stats 8.4 (2018).notebook March 06, 2018
Choosing the Sample Size when
estimating μ
Stats 8.4 (2018).notebook March 06, 2018
Choosing the Sample Size when
estimating Proportions
If we know p,
Worst case Notice
If we do not know p, p q pq
0.1 0.9 0.09
0.2 0.8 0.16
0.3 0.7 0.21
0.4 0.6 0.24
0.5 0.5 0.25
0.6 0.4 0.24
Stats 8.4 (2018).notebook March 06, 2018
Suppose you live near a McDonald's restaurant and you want
to estimate the proportion p of all people in your
neighborhood who go to McDonald's on a typical day.
a) If you had no preliminary estimate for p, how many
people should you include in a random sample to be 85% sure
that the point estimate will be within a distance of 0.05
from p?
b) Answer part a if you use the preliminary
estimate that nationally about 1 in 20 Americans
goes to McDonald's on a typical day.
p =
q =
At least people should be included in the sample.