biostats q " how many people needed" in study to pick the answer -> "Limited number of participants"

[cooldoc89]

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biostats q " how many people needed" in study to pick the answer -> "Limited number of participants"

what value for sample size should I have in the back of my mind.. to think that the study is not significant because of --> "limited number of participant"

10 people

30 people

50 people?

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

You would need more details than that to answer that type of question. There isn't some heuristic.

Generally remember that p-values decrease as sample size goes up. So if there is a trend in the data, but it isn't statistically significant, you would think having a larger sample size could make a difference.

I remember my Step 1 and 2 questions about this type of stuff being straightforward. Understand the concepts in first aid: selection bias, information bias, and conclusions that can be reached from various basic study types, and their limitations. Know how to work a 2x2 table.

 

[cooldoc89]

how will i know, what should they mention in the study for me to think the participants are adequate....

Is it the p value being less than .05 making the study statistically significant??

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

I don't think there is a keyword or a buzzword for you to think about sample size as adequate. Like any Step 1 question, it will be multi-step. The important thing is to understand the underlying concepts, and the direction of change as study design variable change. And, yes, generally, p<0.05 is statistically significant. I worry about your understanding of the basic logic of doing statistics within a study from the way you phrased your question. Please spend time reviewing these concepts in a more comprehensive manner, if you want to understand these types of questions.