title: The numbers game: sample-size determination.
abstract: Sample-size determination is a crucial component of study design. Estimates of sample size are influenced by the amount of change that must occur between study groups and the degree of risk that the investigator is willing to accept in evaluating the null hypothesis. A complete understanding of the impact of sample size on the interpretation of study data is therefore a prerequisite for quality, innovative, valid research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Edmiston
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Josephson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pottinger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciacco-Tsivitis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palenik
mesh_terms: D015981:Epidemiologic Factors; D012107:Research Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012494:Sampling Studies