A simple computerized program for the calculation of the required sample size necessary to ensure statistical accuracy in medical experiments

H Nutahara; E Hanada; N Kinukawa; Y Kenjo; Y Antoku; K Akazawa; Y Nose

doi:10.1016/s0169-2607(00)00122-x

A simple computerized program for the calculation of the required sample size necessary to ensure statistical accuracy in medical experiments

Comput Methods Programs Biomed. 2001 May;65(2):133-9. doi: 10.1016/s0169-2607(00)00122-x.

Authors

H Nutahara¹, E Hanada, N Kinukawa, Y Kenjo, Y Antoku, K Akazawa, Y Nose

Affiliation

¹ Department of Medical Information Science, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.

PMID: 11275333
DOI: 10.1016/s0169-2607(00)00122-x

Abstract

We developed a sample size estimation program (SSEP) with which medical researchers can easily estimate the appropriate sample size for a specific significance level and statistical power using their favorite WWW browsers. SSEP can estimate the sample sizes for six statistical methods by Monte-Carlo simulation: Student's t-test, Welch's t-test, Analysis of variance, Wilcoxon's rank sum test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Cochran-Armitage test for linear trends. The SSEP simulation programs were created using the SAS software macro language. Medical researchers can interactively use this program and determine reliable sample sizes when planning new prospective clinical studies and animal experiments.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Computer Simulation*
Mathematical Computing
Models, Statistical*
Monte Carlo Method*
Research*
Software*