Sample size determination: A comparison of attribute and continuous variable methods

Abstract

<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";="" mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="" lang="EN-US">Each of the two methods of sample size determination - the Attribute and the Continuous Variable Method has its use in the investigation of social science problems. The former allows the computation of sample size with reference to any parameters of the variable and, therefore, can substitute for the Continuous Variable Method, but, with and probable increase in sample size. The later is very useful when data are collected in ratio form. However, it demands estimates of dispersion from the mean which may be primary purpose of the research in the first place. The Attribute Method is highly recommended for library and information science since it can be substituted for Continuous Variable Method.</span>