Best Sample Size for Dissertations

Survey is now a basic tool in social sciences and in some palm of specialization which reliance is from the sampling procedures. Little or unacceptable experience ordain be gained if the sample size of it is poorly designed and punish no matter how good the questions are and no matter how signal the analysis is (Kalton, 1987, p. 4). The important question of how to determine the size of the sample is spanking for estimating the parameters (Singh and Chaudhary, 1986, p. 38). Our common sense would suggest that a large sample size will be better than a small one since an enlarge in sample size will decrease the sampling error.This is non always the case because, for example, having a large sample size with a sampling frame with very similar types of respondents will just be a waste of time. Determining the topper sample size will therefrom depend on the compromise of practical constraints (i. e. money, time, ethical issues) and a priori considerations. For the simplicity of analysis, give that there are no practical constraints, the side by side(p) are the rule of thumb 1. ) If the population is about 50 or less, it is best to sample the whole population 2. If you produce to sample a population of 50 or more, then try to sample rough 30 and 3. ) If you will be using stratified sampling, aim to have at least five sampling units from each stratum or category (White, 2002, p. 65-66). With the load of work dissertation requires researchers can not suffice but to consider the practical constraints. The credibility of the study can thus be sacrificed so it must be the goal of the researcher to remark ways to maintain credibility while considering constraints.Researcher bias is another(prenominal) issue that may hinder the determination and use of sample size because unless it is a purposive sampling, samples should represent the whole population as some(prenominal) as possible. For example, a bias researcher will decide a sample size that is easy for him to gather and that is fit for his/her desired results. thither can never be a perfect or estimable sample size but there is always a best sample size depending on the nature of your study and on the given population.