Sample size determination for conducting a pilot study to assess reliability of a questionnaire

This article is a narrative review that discusses the recommended sample size requirements to design a pilot study to assess the reliability of a questionnaire. A list of various sample size tables that are based on the kappa agreement test, intra-class correlation test and Cronbach’s alpha test has...

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Main Authors: Mohamad Adam Bujang, Evi Diana Omar, Diana Hui Ping Foo, Yoon Khee Hon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry 2024-02-01
Series:Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.rde.ac/upload/pdf/rde-49-e3.pdf
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author Mohamad Adam Bujang
Evi Diana Omar
Diana Hui Ping Foo
Yoon Khee Hon
author_facet Mohamad Adam Bujang
Evi Diana Omar
Diana Hui Ping Foo
Yoon Khee Hon
author_sort Mohamad Adam Bujang
collection DOAJ
description This article is a narrative review that discusses the recommended sample size requirements to design a pilot study to assess the reliability of a questionnaire. A list of various sample size tables that are based on the kappa agreement test, intra-class correlation test and Cronbach’s alpha test has been compiled together. For all calculations, type I error (alpha) was set at a maximum value of 0.05, and power was set at a minimum value of 80.0%. For the kappa agreement test, intra-class correlation test, and Cronbach’s alpha test, the recommended minimum sample size requirement based on the ideal effect sizes shall be at least 15, 22, and 24 subjects respectively. By making allowances for a non-response rate of 20.0%, a minimum sample size of 30 respondents will be sufficient to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. The clear guideline of minimum sample size requirement for the pilot study to assess the reliability of a questionnaire is discussed and this will ease researchers in preparation for the pilot study. This study provides justification for a minimum requirement of a sample size of 30 respondents specifically to test the reliability of a questionnaire.
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series Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics
spelling doaj-art-d2e33564c0e4483cb4ac49a01a77b3762025-08-20T02:42:12ZengKorean Academy of Conservative DentistryRestorative Dentistry & Endodontics2234-76582234-76662024-02-01491e310.5395/rde.2024.49.e31113Sample size determination for conducting a pilot study to assess reliability of a questionnaireMohamad Adam Bujang0Evi Diana Omar1Diana Hui Ping Foo2Yoon Khee Hon3Clinical Research Center, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuching, Sarawak, MalaysiaSector of Biostatistics and Data Repository, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Selangor, MalaysiaClinical Research Center, Sarawak General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuching, Sarawak, MalaysiaInstitute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Selangor, MalaysiaThis article is a narrative review that discusses the recommended sample size requirements to design a pilot study to assess the reliability of a questionnaire. A list of various sample size tables that are based on the kappa agreement test, intra-class correlation test and Cronbach’s alpha test has been compiled together. For all calculations, type I error (alpha) was set at a maximum value of 0.05, and power was set at a minimum value of 80.0%. For the kappa agreement test, intra-class correlation test, and Cronbach’s alpha test, the recommended minimum sample size requirement based on the ideal effect sizes shall be at least 15, 22, and 24 subjects respectively. By making allowances for a non-response rate of 20.0%, a minimum sample size of 30 respondents will be sufficient to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. The clear guideline of minimum sample size requirement for the pilot study to assess the reliability of a questionnaire is discussed and this will ease researchers in preparation for the pilot study. This study provides justification for a minimum requirement of a sample size of 30 respondents specifically to test the reliability of a questionnaire.http://www.rde.ac/upload/pdf/rde-49-e3.pdfpilot studyquestionnairereliabilitysample size
spellingShingle Mohamad Adam Bujang
Evi Diana Omar
Diana Hui Ping Foo
Yoon Khee Hon
Sample size determination for conducting a pilot study to assess reliability of a questionnaire
Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics
pilot study
questionnaire
reliability
sample size
title Sample size determination for conducting a pilot study to assess reliability of a questionnaire
title_full Sample size determination for conducting a pilot study to assess reliability of a questionnaire
title_fullStr Sample size determination for conducting a pilot study to assess reliability of a questionnaire
title_full_unstemmed Sample size determination for conducting a pilot study to assess reliability of a questionnaire
title_short Sample size determination for conducting a pilot study to assess reliability of a questionnaire
title_sort sample size determination for conducting a pilot study to assess reliability of a questionnaire
topic pilot study
questionnaire
reliability
sample size
url http://www.rde.ac/upload/pdf/rde-49-e3.pdf
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