Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41696722›Full record

ReviewJournal of general and family medicine2026

Sampling Methods and Sample Size Determination in Clinical Research: An Educational Review.

Azzam Zrineh, Maysa Al-Usta, Abdallah Alwawi

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of general and family medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Azzam ZrinehFaculty of Medicine Al-Quds University Jerusalem Palestine.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0382-4327
Maysa Al-UstaNursing Department, Faculty of Health Professions Al-Quds University Jerusalem Palestine.
Abdallah AlwawiNursing Department, Faculty of Health Professions Al-Quds University Jerusalem Palestine.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Clinical research validity depends critically on sound sampling methodology and adequate sample size determination, yet many published studies demonstrate deficiencies in these fundamental aspects. This educational review addresses sampling techniques and sample size calculations in clinical research. The review covers probability sampling approaches, including simple random, systematic random, stratified, and cluster sampling methods, contrasting these with non-probability techniques such as convenience, purposive, snowball, and quota sampling. For each method, we discuss implementation strategies, inherent biases, and appropriate clinical applications. Sample size determination principles are presented across multiple study designs, encompassing cross-sectional prevalence studies, case-control investigations, cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, and correlational analyses. Key statistical concepts, including Type I and Type II errors, statistical power, effect size estimation, and variance considerations, are also explained. Additionally, some available software tools for sample size calculation are outlined to facilitate implementation. This review ultimately provides clinical researchers with essential knowledge to make informed methodological decisions that enhance study quality and contribute to the evidence base for healthcare decision-making.

Indexed as

biostatisticsclinical research designsample size calculationsampling methodologystatistical power

Identifiers

PMID41696722
PMCPMC12897549

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.