Sample Size for Survey Research: Review and Recommendations

TLDR

Determining an appropriate sample size is essential for realistic conclusions, yet researchers remain uncertain which widely adopted rules of thumb to use, as the question “How large should the sample be?” is frequently asked. The editorial aims to discuss factors influencing sample size decisions, review existing rules of thumb, and present guidelines for performing power analysis with G*Power. The authors address this by discussing influencing factors, reviewing current rules of thumb, and offering guidelines for power analysis using G*Power. They caution that researchers should not blindly follow rules of thumb, emphasizing that such guidelines must be applied within their specific contexts.

Abstract

Determining an appropriate sample size is vital in drawing realistic conclusions from research findings. Although there are several widely adopted rules of thumb to calculate sample size, researchers remain unclear about which one to consider when determining sample size in their respective studies. ‘How large should the sample be?’ is one the most frequently asked questions in survey research. The objective of this editorial is three-fold. First, we discuss the factors that influence sample size decisions. Second, we review existing rules of thumb related to the calculation of sample size. Third, we present the guidelines to perform power analysis using the G*Power programme. There is, however, a caveat: we urge researchers not to blindly follow these rules. Such rules or guidelines should be understood in their specific contexts and under the conditions in which they were prescribed. We hope that this editorial does not only provide researchers a fundamental understanding of sample size and its associated issues, but also facilitates their consideration of sample size determination in their own studies.