title: How sample size influences research outcomes.
abstract: Sample size calculation is part of the early stages of conducting an epidemiological, clinical or laboratory 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.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: Lilian Martins
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003657:Decision Making; D018865:Dental Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004990:Ethics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D018401:Sample Size; D015983:Selection Bias
keywords: Clinical trial; Methodology; Sample calculation; Sample size; Scientific evidence