Slovins

Formula

Discussions, Computations,
and Examples
Slovins Formula

The Slovins formula is used to figure

out the ideal sample size given the
population size and the margin of error.
Slovins Formula

n = N / (1 + Ne2)

Where:
n = Number of samples / sample size
N = Total population / population size
e = error tolerance / margin of error
Computation
Sample question: Use Slovins formula to find out what sample of a population
of
1 000 people you need to take for a survey on their soda
preferences.
Step 1: Figure out what you want your confidence level to be. For example, you might
want a confidence level of 95 percent (which will give you a margin of error of 0.05), or
you might need better accuracy at the 98 percent confidence level (which produces a
margin of error of 0.02)
Step 2: Plug your data into the formula. In this example, well use a 95 percent
confidence level with a population size of 1 000.
n = N / (1 + Ne2) = 1 000 / (1 + 1 000 * 0.05 2) = 285. 714286
Step 3: Round your answer to a whole number
285. 714286 = 286
Sample Problem

Problem 1: Find out what sample of a

population of 1 500 examinees you need to
take for a survey on their school preferences.
Say that the confidence level if 96 percent.
Margin of error = 1 - .96 = 0.04
n = N / (1 + Ne2) = 1 500 / (1 + 1 500 *
0.042) = 441.176 = 441 People
Sample Problem

Problem 2: Find out what sample of a

population of 1 850 students you need to take
for a survey on their subject preferences. Say
that the confidence level if 90 percent.
Margin of error = 1 - .90 = 0.1
n = N / (1 + Ne2) = 1 850 / (1 + 1 850 * 0.12)
= 94.871 = 95 People
Sample Problem

Problem 3: Find out what sample of a

population of 2 000 student drivers you need to
take for a survey on their school preferences.
Say that the confidence level if 92 percent.
Margin of error = 1 - .92 = 0.08
n = N / (1 + Ne2) = 2 000 / (1 + 2000 *
0.082) = 144.927 = 145 People