How many subjects do i need in my research sample?

摘要

The question, "how many subjects do I need in my research sample?" should be asked by all nurses who design a quantitative or qualitative research proposal. The short answer is: As many as needed to adequately answer the research question or hypothesis. Too many subjects expose humans to research interventions or research methods unnecessarily. Unnecessary exposure to interventions and even research methods (eg, drawing blood work) should be avoided; thus, most ethics boards request information about how the sample size was determined. Too few subjects inhibit study researchers, and the general public who may learn about the research results, from trusting study findings.