Power Analysis in Survey Research: Importance and Use for Health Educators

Abstract

Abstract This article has three purposes: to explain the two different uses of power analysis that can be used in health education research; to examine the extent to which power analysis is being used in published health education research; and to explain the implications of not using power analysis in research studies. Articles in seven leading health education journals (American Journal of Health Behavior, American Journal of Health Education, American Journal of Health Promotion, Health Education & Behavior, Health Education Research, Journal of American College Health, and Journal of School Health) were analyzed for the years 2000-2003. For four of the seven journals, less than 5% of their research articles reported a power analysis. Only two journals (American Journal of Health Behavior and Health Education Research) had a modest number of research articles (14-35%) that reported power analysis. This is the first reported examination of power analysis in health education journals. The findings indicate a potential problem with the quality of health education research being reported.