Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Statistical methods in epidemiology. II: A commonsense approach to sample size estimation

A S Rigby1, A Vail

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Sheffield Children's Hospital, University of Sheffield, UK.

Disability and Rehabilitation
|December 10, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Simple sample size estimation methods are effective for many research scenarios, including clinical trials and epidemiological studies. These techniques facilitate collaboration between clinicians and statisticians, ensuring research validity.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

ADA-HF: acetazolamide as a chloride sparing diuretic in patients admitted to hospital with heart failure.

Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society·2026
Same author

Diagnosis of metaphyseal fractures in infants and young children with suspected inflicted injury: a systematic review of cross-sectional imaging techniques.

Clinical radiology·2023
Same author

Are non-invasive estimations of plasma volume an accurate measure of congestion in patients with chronic heart failure?

European heart journal. Quality of care & clinical outcomes·2022
Same author

<i>In situ</i> measurements of reef squid polarization patterns using two-dimensional polarization data mapped onto three-dimensional tessellated surfaces.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2021
Same author

Top 10 priorities for future infertility research: an international consensus development study.

Fertility and sterility·2020
Same author

Developing a core outcome set for future infertility research: an international consensus development study.

Fertility and sterility·2020

Area of Science:

  • Biostatistics
  • Clinical Research Methodology
  • Epidemiological Study Design

Background:

  • Mathematical formulae for sample size estimation are often perceived as overly complex.
  • This complexity can deter researchers from seeking essential statistical guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and advocate for simplified sample size estimation methods.
  • To demonstrate that two core formulae can address numerous research situations.
  • To encourage statistical collaboration in research design.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing sample size estimation techniques.
  • Focus on two key formulae: one for comparing proportions of successes, another for comparing means of normally distributed data.
  • Application of methods to examples from clinical trials, case-control, and cohort studies.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Worked examples are provided to illustrate the application of the simplified formulae.
  • The proposed methods are shown to be applicable across various study types without information loss.
  • Demonstration that complex calculations are not always necessary.

Conclusions:

  • Sample size estimation can be a straightforward process.
  • Simple techniques empower clinicians and statisticians to collaborate effectively.
  • Ongoing dialogue between researchers and statisticians is crucial for successful research outcomes.