Determining Sample Size: Balancing Power, Precision, and Practicality

✍ Scribed by Patrick Dattalo

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 176
• Series: Pocket Guides to Social Work Research Methods
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

A researcher's decision about the sample to draw in a study may have an enormous impact on the results, and it rests on numerous statistical and practical considerations that can be difficult to juggle. Computer programs help, but no single software package exists that allows researchers to determine sample size across all statistical procedures. This pocket guide shows social work students, educators, and researchers how to prevent some of the mistakes that would result from a wrong sample size decision by describing and critiquing four main approaches to determining sample size. In concise, example-rich chapters, Dattalo covers sample-size determination using power analysis, confidence intervals, computer-intensive strategies, and ethical or cost considerations, as well as techniques for advanced and emerging statistical strategies such as structural equation modeling, multilevel analysis, repeated measures MANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA. He also offers strategies for mitigating pressures to increase sample size when doing so may not be feasible. Whether as an introduction to the process for students or as a refresher for experienced researchers, this practical guide is a perfect overview of a crucial but often overlooked step in empirical social work research.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
......Page 1
Copyright
......Page 5
Contents......Page 8
1 Basic Terms and Concepts......Page 12
2 Statistical Power Analysis......Page 20
3 Confidence Intervals: Measures of Precision......Page 47
4 Computer-Intensive Methods......Page 64
5 Additional Considerations, Recommendations, and Conclusions......Page 77
6 Worked Examples......Page 86
Appendix: Annotated Bibliography of Readings and Other Resources......Page 142
Notes......Page 158
References......Page 162
C......Page 172
E......Page 173
M......Page 174
R......Page 175
W......Page 176