Sample Size: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Statistics 2021 ( Statistics )

Rachit Kumar Saxena

Rachit Kumar SaxenaManager-Editorial

Updated on Aug 5, 2021 10:33 IST

What is Sample Size?

For research, survey, or experiment a set of data is taken into account. The branch of mathematics that deals with a set of data and their operations is known as statistics. 

The sample size is generally used for selecting the number of observations to analyse the given statistical data. Selecting a sample size is a critical part of any study to make inferences about the given elements from a given sample.

The statistical data is majorly classified into population data and sample data. Population data includes the entire area of study. The sample data is a part of the population data that represents the entire set.

The sample size is interpreted as the number of measurements used to determine the evaluation of a population. The dimension of the sample is extracted directly from the population set.

Sampling is the method of election of a subset of quantifiers from the entire population, to evaluate the features of the aggregate population. A fraction of entities in a subset of a population is chosen for analysis.

The formula to determine the sample size of a population is-

Ss= {Z2P(1- P)}/C2.

In this formula, Ss denotes the sample size, Z denotes the Z-factor, P represents the percentage of a population, and C denotes the interval confidence.

The mean of a population gives a value of the average quantity in the entire population interval. The mean of a sample of this population gives the average value for that particular sample set. The mean value of the sample may vary from the population mean. This difference is known as a deviation or error.

The error E in a sample mean is calculated using the formula-

Sample SIze

Weightage of Sample Size in class 11

The topic- the sample size is a part of the section- statistics in the syllabus of class 10 and 11. The chapter- collection of data includes this topic in class 11 economics. It carries a weightage of around 5-6 marks in the examination.

Illustrative Example on Sample Size

1. P is to create a one-sample z interval to estimate what proportion of her neighbourhood favour the construction of a park. The confidence level should reach above 95% and the error allowed is 2%. Determine the smallest sample size.

Solution:

Sample Size_2

So the smallest sample size to consider to get an error of less than 2% with a confidence level above 95% is 2401.

FAQs on Sample Size

Q: What is statistics?

A: Statistics is the branch of mathematics that deals with the collection and organization of data to draw inferences from its summary.

Q: What is the sample size?

A: The sample size is the measure of the count of samples required to carry out a study. It is a small part of a large population that represents the entire set.

Q: What is a small sample size?

A: If the size of the sample is tiny, it is tough to examine the data. The t-distribution is implemented to deal with a small amount of data.

Q: What is a large sample size?

A:  If the number of quantities in a sample is significantly higher than the average count, it is known as a large sample size.

Q: What influences the sample size?

A: Measurements of the population, error margin, standard deviation, and the extent of confidentiality are some of the factors that influence the sample size.
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