The basic terms you need to use our survey sample size calculator:
- Margin of error: The lower your margin of error, the more accurate your results will be. A 5% margin of error is often used in polling studies, and it’s generally the norm. Just keep in mind that a 5% margin of error is a 10% spread because you could be plus OR minus 5%.
- Confidence level. Statisticians often refer to a confidence level, and here is a simplistic explanation. Let’s assume you set your confidence level to 95%. If you were to repeat your experiment over and over again, the results would match the results from the actual population 95% of the time, or 19 times out of 20.
- When you combine your margin of error (for example, 5%) and your confidence level (for example, 95%), you can say that you are 95% sure that the true measurement of the general population is within 5% of your survey results.
Read more about how to use a survey sample size calculator here.
Why Sampling Matters
Your staff is more likely to get on board with your recommendations if your data represents your customer base proportionately.
Think of it this way: If you were running a large health study, you’d make sure your sample included multiple ethnicities and health profiles. Similarly, your data should represent the entirety of your customer base, not just those with free time, a gripe, or who provided their email.