How sample size influences research outcomes

Sample size calculation is part of the early stages of conducting an epidemiological, clinical or lab study. In preparing a scientific paper, there are ethical and methodological indications for its use. Two investigations conducted with the same methodology and achieving equivalent results, but different only in terms of sample size, may point the researcher in different directions when it comes to making clinical decisions. Therefore, ideally, samples should not be small and, contrary to what one might think, should not be excessive. The aim of this paper is to discuss in clinical language the main implications of the sample size when interpreting a study.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Faber,Jorge, Fonseca,Lilian Martins
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Dental Press International 2014
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2176-94512014000400027
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