School of Community Health and Policy, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA.
Arch Iran Med. 2013 May;16(5):295-300.
This paper discusses the statistical principles, methods, and software programs used to calculate sample size. In addition, it reviews the practical challenges faced in calculating sample size. We show that because of such challenges, statistical calculations often do not provide us with a clear-cut number for the study sample size; rather they suggest a range of reasonable numbers. The paper also discusses several important nonstatistical considerations in determination of sample size, such as novelty of the study and availability of resources.
本文讨论了用于计算样本量的统计原理、方法和软件程序。此外，还回顾了计算样本量时面临的实际挑战。我们表明，由于这些挑战，统计计算通常不会为我们提供研究样本量的明确数字；相反，它们会建议一系列合理的数字。本文还讨论了确定样本量时的几个重要非统计考虑因素，例如研究的新颖性和资源的可用性。
