Sample Size for Independent Cohort Studies

 

Menu location: Analysis_Sample Size_Independent Cohort.

 

This function gives the minimum number of case subjects required to detect a true relative risk or experimental event rate with power POWER and two sided type I error probability ALPHA. This sample size is also given as a continuity-corrected value intended for use with corrected chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (Casagrande et al. 1978; Meinert 1986; Fleiss, 1981; Dupont, 1990).

 

Information required

  • POWER: probability of detecting a real effect.
  • ALPHA: probability of detecting a false effect (two sided: double this if you need one sided).
  • P0: probability of event in controls.
  • *: input either P1 or RR, where RR=P1/P0.
  • P1: probability of event in experimental subjects.
  • RR: relative risk of events between experimental subjects and controls.
  • M: number of control subjects per experimental subject.

 

Practical issues

  • Usual values for POWER are 80%, 85% and 90%; try several in order to explore/scope.
  • 5% is the usual choice for ALPHA.
  • P0 can be estimated as the population prevalence of the event under investigation.
  • If possible, choose a range of relative risks that you want have the statistical power to detect.

 

Technical validation

The estimated sample size n is calculated as:

- where α = alpha, β = 1 - power, nc is the continuity corrected sample size and zp is the standard normal deviate for probability p. n is rounded up to the closest integer.