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Business Statistics - QBM117 Selecting the sample size
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Objectives w To determine an appropriate sample size for estimating a population mean . w To determine an appropriate sample size for estimating a population proportion.
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Selecting the sample size w We have discussed on a number of occasions how important sample size is to the estimation of a parameter. w Generally, the larger the sample size, the better the estimate. w However large sample sizes are expensive, so what we require is the smallest sample that will give us the information, as accurately as we need it.
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Selecting the sample size w Interval estimates provide a useful method of estimating an unknown parameter. w However, if the interval is too wide, it may not be very useful. w One way to control the width of the interval is by determining the most appropriate sample size, which will at the same time, provide narrow intervals.
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To do this, we must specify three things w The parameter to be estimated ie or p; w The desired level of confidence; w The maximum error of estimation, ie the acceptable error bound B.
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Determining the appropriate sample size for estimating a population mean, To estimate when is known we use To estimate within some specified bound B, the confidence interval would simply be
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Rearranging this formula to make n the subject we get Therefore it follows that If is unknown, we estimate by s and use the same formula
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Exercise 8.39 p275 Here we are estimating the population mean
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Determining the appropriate sample size for estimating a population proportion p The formula for finding the sample size needed when we are estimating a population proportion is found in a similar way ie by solving the equation Rearranging this formula to make n the subject we get If we do not knowthe values of will provide the most conservative n are 0.5 and 0.5. which
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Exercise 8.42 p275 Here we are estimating the population proportion p We have no idea of even approximate values of so we approximate them by 0.5 and 0.5 respectively.
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Reading for next lecture Exercises to be completed before next lecture Revise chapter 8 S&S 8.39 8.41 8.43
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