Cutting Evaluation Costs by Reducing Sample Size

Authors

• Satish Verma, Louisiana State UniversityFollow
• Michael F. Burnett, Louisiana State UniversityFollow

Volume

34

Issue

1

Abstract

If sample size can be reduced without undermining validity of results, then the cost of evaluating Extension programs can be reduced. To test this hypothesis, three sample sizes at 1%, 3%, and 5% margins of error were drawn from the data of two doctoral dissertations. Comparison of the three sample sizes showed that evaluations with a descriptive purpose could drop sample size from a 1% to a 5% error margin, while evaluations with a comparative purpose could reduce sample size from 1% to 3% error margin without affecting validity of the results. As a result, it is conservatively estimated that the cost of data gathering and entry for a mail survey could be substantially reduced from $1,116 (1% error) to $348 (3% error) or $100 (5% error).

Recommended Citation

Verma, S., & Burnett, M. F. (1996). Cutting Evaluation Costs by Reducing Sample Size. Journal of Extension, 34(1), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.66752/1077-5315.7716