In preparing a grant, you meet with a biostatistician to discuss sample sizes. The biostatistician tells you that if you want more power, you will have to increase your sample size. Explain why this is the case. Provide additional alternatives for increasing the power of the study without changing the sample size.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is As the sample size gets larger, the alternative sampling distribution gets skinnier. As a result, the null and alternative distributions become more separated. When there is a discernable difference between the two distributions, it is easier to reject the null hypothesis correctly, and thus increases the power of the study. Alternatively, as the a level increases, the statistical power also increases.

In Preparing a Grant, You Meet with a Biostatistician to Discuss