Sample size estimation: Current practice and considerations for original investigations in MRI technical development studies

Hanspach J, Nagel AM, Hensel B, Uder M, Koros L, Laun FB (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate and to provide guidance for sample size selection based on the current practice in MR technical development studies in which healthy volunteers are examined. Methods: All original articles published in Magnetic Resonance in Medicine between 2017 and 2019 were investigated and categorized according to technique, anatomical region, and magnetic field strength. The number of examined healthy volunteers (ie, the sample size) was collected and evaluated, whereas the number of patients was not considered. Papers solely measuring patients, animals, phantoms, specimens, or studies using existing data, for example, from an open databank, or consisting only of theoretical work or simulations were excluded. Results: The median sample size of the 882 included studies was 6. There were some peaks in the sample size distribution (eg, 1, 5, and 10). In 49.9%, 82.1%, and 95.6% of the studies, the sample size was smaller or equal to 5, 10, and 20, respectively. Conclusion: We observed a large variance in sample sizes reflecting the variety of studies published in Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Therefore, it can be concluded that it is current practice to balance the need for statistical power with the demand to minimize experiments involving healthy humans, often by choosing small sample sizes between 1 and 10. Naturally, this observation does not release an investigator from ensuring that sufficient data are acquired to reach statistical conclusions.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jannis Hanspach Professur für quantitative MR-Bildgebung (Heisenberg-Professur) Armin Michael Nagel Professur für metabolische und funktionelle MR-Bildgebung Bernhard Hensel Max Schaldach-Stiftungsprofessur für Biomedizinische Technik Michael Uder Lehrstuhl für Diagnostische Radiologie Frederik Bernd Laun Professur für quantitative MR-Bildgebung (Heisenberg-Professur)

How to cite

APA:

Hanspach, J., Nagel, A.M., Hensel, B., Uder, M., Koros, L., & Laun, F.B. (2020). Sample size estimation: Current practice and considerations for original investigations in MRI technical development studies. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1002/mrm.28550

MLA:

Hanspach, Jannis, et al. "Sample size estimation: Current practice and considerations for original investigations in MRI technical development studies." Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (2020).

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