Mine is a health related cross sectional study with a study group and a control group. So after calculation the sample size for control group was found to 88. We targeted 100 people and 82 people responded, which is below my calculated sample size. Does this makes my study ineffective? I dont have problem with the study group sample size.
Hi Rumi,
That doesn't make you study "ineffective". What you had are often encountered, sometimes even inevitable, in researches.
What you should report is response rate (which is 82/100 * 100 = 82%). 82% is a very good response rate. The usual goal is to have greater or equal to 60%.
Response rates are calculated by "dividing the number of usable responses returned by the total number eligible in the sample chosen." Read more here: Article Response Rates and Responsiveness for Surveys, Standards, an...
Dear Rumi,
Sample size calculations are based on an estimate of effect size so are seldom accurate. You simply have a Type II error risk that is estimated to be slightly higher than the threshold that you set (normally 20%). This does not hinder you from using your data to carry out your analysis. You just have to mention it as a minor limitation.
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