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Sample size: how many participants do I need in my research?*

Overview of attention for article published in Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, January 2014
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13 X users

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Title
Sample size: how many participants do I need in my research?*
Published in
Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, January 2014
DOI 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20143705
Pubmed ID
Authors

Jeovany Martínez-Mesa, David Alejandro González-Chica, João Luiz Bastos, Renan Rangel Bonamigo, Rodrigo Pereira Duquia

Abstract

The importance of estimating sample sizes is rarely understood by researchers, when planning a study. This paper aims to highlight the centrality of sample size estimations in health research. Examples that help in understanding the basic concepts involved in their calculation are presented. The scenarios covered are based more on the epidemiological reasoning and less on mathematical formulae. Proper calculation of the number of participants in a study diminishes the likelihood of errors, which are often associated with adverse consequences in terms of economic, ethical and health aspects.

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The data shown below were collected from the profiles of 13 X users who shared this research output. Click here to find out more about how the information was compiled.
Mendeley readers

Mendeley readers

The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 802 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
United Kingdom 1 <1%
Brazil 1 <1%
Unknown 800 100%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Student > Master 135 17%
Student > Bachelor 126 16%
Student > Ph. D. Student 78 10%
Unspecified 50 6%
Student > Postgraduate 38 5%
Other 141 18%
Unknown 234 29%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Nursing and Health Professions 91 11%
Medicine and Dentistry 89 11%
Psychology 53 7%
Unspecified 50 6%
Social Sciences 39 5%
Other 222 28%
Unknown 258 32%