To verify the validity of the construction of psychological tests or scales, we need a sample to conduct internal consistency and distinguish the statements. There are several opinions on the appropriate number for the sample. Some specify it at 30 individuals, while others say it is more than 100 individuals.
It is true that a sample size of 30 participants is sometimes mentioned, but it depends on the purpose and number of items. If you plan to do anything serious with the results later, I'd recommend following the guideline of having 5-10 (and according to some, even 15) participants per item. This is generally the rule if you plan to examine validity later, but it also contributes to the robustness of reliability measures.
The appropriate sample size for constructing psychological scales or social questionnaires can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of the scale, the population being studied, and the statistical methods employed. Here are some general guidelines:
In summary, while a minimum of 30 individuals can be sufficient for preliminary assessments, aiming for 100 to 200 participants or more is advisable for robust scale construction and validation. Tailoring the sample size to the specific research context and employing rigorous statistical methods will enhance the validity and reliability of the psychological scales or social questionnaires.
The appropriate sample size for constructing psychological scales or social questionnaires typically depends on the complexity of the scale and the analysis methods used. Generally, a minimum of 200-300 participants is recommended for factor analysis and reliability testing. Larger samples may be needed for more complex scales or to ensure robustness and generalizability of the results.
the sample size for scale construction involves 30 samples first to detect internal consistency, and for evaluation of scales for each item in the scale 10 participants if the scale has 10 items the sample size is 100 to 150
Sample size for validation depends upon a number of factor, the most important of it is number of items. Most of the literature endorsed to have at least 10 participants per item on the scale (Everitt, 1975; Nunnally, 1978), Watson & Thompson, 2006).
For better guidance, you can consult the following paper.
Gunawan, J., Marzilli, C., & Aungsuroch, Y. (2021). Establishing appropriate sample size for developing and validating a questionnaire in nursing research. Belitung nursing journal, 7(5), 356–360. https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.1927
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Linguistics
- Composition Studies
- Writing