Hi,
I am looking at which age group it is more plausible that an individual belongs to based on which social group she/he trusts the most.
The population that I want my sample to be representative of is 8.189.892 and is aged between 18 and 100+. I need to calculate the correct sample size (simple random sampling).
Do I pick confidence interval/margin of error and confidence level just voluntarily and calculate the correct sample size based on them? If so, how do I go about it? or:
Do confidence interval/margin of error and confidence level need to be calculated first? and if so how do I go about it?
Is there any other variable that needs to be taken into account when calculating a sample size? and if so which, and how do I go about it?
As it might be vivid I am a beginner and pretty much every solution that I have found online goes about calculating one from the other but I don't have any variable (except for the total population size) as long as confidence interval and confidence level cannot just be picked by free choice (like 2% of confidence interval and 99% confidence level for example).
Cheers,
Viktor
Your requirements make no sense. Please revise your question and ask again. Best wishes, David Booth
A number of ways to determine the sample size. It depends on the subject matter you are asking about. In general, you can follow the literature: Israel, G. D. (1992). Determining sample size.
BTW since you wish to use simple random sampling. I suggest you consult Schaefer et al Elementary Survey sampling available in the z-library Google for instructions. Best wishes, David Booth PS Google Gpower for a way to compute your sample size. Best wishes, David Booth
You can use the Apriori power type of power analysis to compute the required sample size. You need to input the following values: level of significance (alpha), effect size (low, med, or high), and power (0-1). You can do this using G*Power.
G*Power is freely available at http://www.gpower.hhu.de/en.html
According to Hair et al.( 2014), 5-10 Questionnaires to measure each parameter.
Javeed Kittur Thanks for the tip! However, I do not quite understand. I have installed the programme but I don't see where I input the total population size. Doesn't the programme need that parameter as well (apart from the ones you listed) in order to calculate the needed sample size? Much appreciated.
Viktor
Viktor Sulakvelidze-Skantz In the type of power analysis tab on the G*Power, check if you have selected A prior? If you selected 'A priori', you need to input only the level of significance (alpha), effect size (low, med, or high), and power (0-1). I hope this helps. A prior analysis is conducted to determine the sample size and you do not have to input the sample size, the output will give you the sample size.
The same G*Power can be used to conduct a post-hoc power analysis, when you do that you need to enter the sample size.
Javeed Kittur Yes, but I didn't mean to insert the sample size rather the size of total target population. I am just confused how a sample size can be calculated without inserting the total target population size into the equation.
Viktor Sulakvelidze-Skantz Please refer this document for more information on power analysis,
https://research.usu.edu//irb/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2015/08/A_Researchers_Guide_to_Power_Analysis_USU.pdf
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