Estimating Sample Size Using Excel

This video demonstrates how to estimate a sample size using Microsoft Excel.

[ashleymogle]

Again, I am just amazed that there is a formula you can use in order to calculate the desired sample size for a particular study. This is so useful in helping researchers execute the best study possible. Also, not one of the main points, but you mentioned how you don't want to use a sample size too big because it can be a waste of resources. I never really thought about that and just always assumed the larger the sample, the better. You raised a very practical point that I will remember when evaluating future research.

[davidtullio]

Thank you for the simple and straght-forward answer Dr. Grande. I appreciate how you broke down the data entry points so they were easily understandable.

[ericahammond]

I appreciate how in the video Dr. Grande not only explains how to estimate sample size, but he also provides definitions and explains all of the concepts that go along with understanding sample size.

[monicaperry]

This video helped me to understand more clearly the relationship between the confidence level, standard deviation, error, and sample size. Interesting how the sample size can decrease or increase dramatically with a few changes.

[amandavalentino]

Dr. Grande- Thank you for the information about estimating the correct sample size while using Excel. It was important to note that a sample size too small it will not give the right results and a larger sample size could offset. Thank you for showing me these easy steps on how to estimate the sample size.

[rachelnewberry]

I remember doing similar problems when I took a research class in my undergrad classes. However, I wish I had watched these videos then. I really appreciate how you broke down the numbers. I can see how its just a matter of plugging in the numbers where they belong. Thank you for this video!

[rebeccameece]

I don't remember calculating sample sizes when I took this class at my undergrad but I was happy to watch this video to get a better understanding of it, because I am sure I just forgot how to do it. Alpha confused me a bit, so I agree with others when they say this may need to be a talking point in class to further discuss. Seeing the formula right in front of us is a great visual tool.

[laurynmoffa]

I'm glad this video is available to us because it helped me understand the importance of a sample size in social science research. It is also news to me that in the social sciences, we want to aim for as confidence level of 95%. I appreciate learning that information to improve my social science research knowledge.

[jhoward]

Excel seems pretty straightforward the more I watch these videos. I had never thought about estimating sample size, but this does make logical sense. It seems Excel can do pretty much anything one would need in research. A larger sample size seems better, but it also has to be reasonable. This is a good tool that I had never thought about before.

[karasullivan]

This aspect of research is quite significant. This video was helpful in determining the most appropriate sample size to get accurate data.

[cassiemclaughlin]

By far this is the video that I found most useful. I have heard mixed opinions on sample size and was under the false pretense that the bigger the sample size the better or more reliable the study. I have found that this is untrue and that the equation used above is the best way to calculate sample size. I used this to estimate the sample size of the population I am currently researching. Thanks!

[rosasutton]

I can understand why you would want to estimate your sample size and I appreciate that you can use Excel to help with it. This is definitely a helpful tip and tool to use and I believe it will be helpful to us students for our research projects and in future research.

[amandachaffin]

It is nice to have a tool to estimate sample size. When decreasing the error drastically changed the sample size. I like that you can manipulate the error to to find a more realistic sample size.

[lizconnor]

While reading the text on qualitative and quantitative sampling, I was wondering how a researcher might determine the appropriate sample size for their study so I thought this video was really helpful in this respect. I thought this video also did a good job demonstrating how the sample size changes based on the changes in standard deviation, confidence level, etc. As I was slightly confused about that while reading, this video cleared quite a bit up for me.

[aussiebreezekorb]

I would have never thought that I could find a sample size needed in this way. Interesting! So helpful, I am sure, for researchers who are not having to grasp at straws to get an appropriate sample size for their study.

[cardinalgrad]

It was very helpful to see how lower 3 factors were achieved and how changing the z-score, alpha, and error altered the sample size requirements. I had never thought of having the ability to decide a sample size as I have always worked with convenience samples. Very helpful video.

[brittanyhoffman]

Thank you for sharing this video Dr. Grande. I didn't know that there was a formula for calculating sample size. I found it interesting how drastic the sample size changed if the standard deviation was changed or the error was changed.

[lisanoland]

Thank you for the information, I will take away from this video that sample size can grow exponentially when increasing the confidence level and decreasing error and that knowing the appropriate sample size is important in research.

[tammywitzke]

I agree with Rosa, this will be a very helpful tool to use to not only estimate the sample size but to do it correctly.

[joe]

Interesting video. Especially, how everything works together in estimating the sample size, & how changes in the confidence level, etc. can have an impact on the estimated size.