Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-kwt9d Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-14T06:45:26.363Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

6 - Is Bigger Always Better?

On Sample Size, Statistical Significance, and Big Data

from Part II - Rethinking Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2025

Karen B. Schmaling
Affiliation:
Washington State University
Robert M. Kaplan
Affiliation:
Stanford University
Get access

Summary

The criteria for evaluating research studies often include large sample size. It is assumed that studies with large sample sizes are more meaningful than those that include a fewer number of participants. This chapter explores biases associated with the traditional application of null hypothesis testing. Statisticians now challenge the idea that retention of the null hypothesis signifies that a treatment is not effective. A finding associated with an exact probability value of p = 0.049 is not meaningfully different from one in which p = 0.051. Yet the interpretation of these two studies can be dramatically different, including the likelihood of publication. Large studies are not necessarily more accurate or less biased. In fact, biases in sampling strategy are amplified in studies with large sample sizes. These problems are of increasing concern in the era of big data and the analysis of electronic health records. Studies that are overpowered (because of very large sample sizes) are capable of identifying statistically significant differences that are of no clinical importance.

Information

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×