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Calculating The Sample Size

The document discusses how to calculate the appropriate sample size for a survey on childhood malnutrition. It explains that sample size is determined by estimated prevalence, confidence level, and margin of error. It then provides a 4-step process: 1) calculating the base sample size using a formula, 2) adjusting for cluster sampling design effect, 3) adding a contingency percentage, and 4) rounding to match the number of survey clusters. An example calculates a final sample size of 690 children divided among 30 clusters.

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115 views

Calculating The Sample Size

The document discusses how to calculate the appropriate sample size for a survey on childhood malnutrition. It explains that sample size is determined by estimated prevalence, confidence level, and margin of error. It then provides a 4-step process: 1) calculating the base sample size using a formula, 2) adjusting for cluster sampling design effect, 3) adding a contingency percentage, and 4) rounding to match the number of survey clusters. An example calculates a final sample size of 690 children divided among 30 clusters.

Uploaded by

sohelku
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Calculating the Sample Size

The sample size, in this case, refers to the number of children to be included in the survey.
Step 1: Base Sample-size Calculation
The appropriate sample size for a population-based survey is determined largely by three factors: (i) the
estimated prevalence of the variable of interest chronic malnutrition in this instance, (ii) the desired level
of confidence and (iii) the acceptable margin of error.
For a survey design based on a simple random sample, the sample size required can be calculated
according to the following formula.
Formula:
n= t x p(1-p)
m
Description:
n = required sample size
t = confidence level at 95% (standard value of 1.96)
p = estimated prevalence of malnutrition in the project area
m = margin of error at 5% (standard value of 0.05)
Example
In the Al Haouz project in Morocco, it has been estimated that roughly 30% (0.3) of the children in the
project area suffer from chronic malnutrition. This figure has been taken from national statistics on
malnutrition in rural areas. Use of the standard values listed above provides the following calculation.


Calculation:
n= 1.96 x .3(1-.3)
.05
n = 3.8416 x .21
.0025
n = .8068
.0025
n = 322.72 ~ 323

Step 2: Design Effect
The anthropometric survey is designed as a cluster sample (a representative selection of villages), not a
simple random sample. To correct for the difference in design, the sample size is multiplied by the design
effect (D).

The design effect is generally assumed to be 2 for nutrition surveys using cluster-sampling methodology.
Example
n x D = 323 x 2 = 646
Step 3: Contingency
The sample is further increased by 5% to account for contingencies such as non-response or recording
error.
Example
n + 5% = 646 x 1.05 = 678.3 678
Step 4: Distribution of Observations
Finally, the calculation result is rounded up to the closest number that matches well with the number of
clusters (30 villages) to be surveyed.
Thirty is the standard number of clusters established by the WHO Expanded Programme of Immunization
(EPI Cluster Surveys). There is no statistically necessary reason to maintain exactly 30 clusters, and the
number can be adjusted if there is a compelling motive for doing so.
Example
Final Sample Size: N = 690 children
The final sample size (N) is then divided by the number of clusters (30) to determine the number of
observations per cluster.
Example
N no. clusters = 690 30 = 23 children per village
General Rule: Standardized Sample Sizes for Nutrition Surveys
The following table provides the recommended sample size for various estimated levels of malnutrition,
incorporating standard values for confidence level and margin of error. The final sample size includes the
contingency percentage and is rounded to match well with a 30-cluster survey.

P
(est. % malnutrition)
n
(base sample size)
n x D
(n x design effect)
N
(final sample size)
0.2 (20%) 246 492 540
0.25 (25%) 288 576 600
0.3 (30%) 323 646 690
0.35 (35%) 350 700 720
0.4 (40%) 369 738 750
0.45 (45%) 380 760 780
0.5 (50%) 384 768 810
Note:
If it is not possible to find an estimated prevalence of malnutrition for the project area, the recommended
action is to set the sample size at 810.
When in doubt, set the sample size at 810.

References
FAO. 1990. Conducting small-scale nutrition surveys: A field manual, Rome.
Magnani, Robert. 1997. Sampling guide. IMPACT Food Security and Nutrition Monitoring Project,
Arlington, Va.
UNICEF. 1995. Monitoring progress toward the goals of the World Food Summit for Children: A practical
handbook for multiple indicator surveys. New York.


Table of Contents | Estimating the Budget | Building the Sampling Frame and Selecting Clusters

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