6.7.3. Variance

6.7.3.1. Sample Size for Variance
The relationship between the estimates of sample and population variances is given as follows:
   
Here:
·     
is the estimate of the
population variance, 
·     
 is the sample variance with ν
degrees of freedom, 
· α is the probability of committing a Type I error and 1- α is the confidence level,
· β is the probability of committing a Type II error and 1 – β is the power of the test,
Since critical values from chi-square distribution are both dependent on the sample size n, an iterational algorithm should be employed.
The user is expected to enter:
· Sample Variance
· Population Variance
· Power of the test
· Confidence Level
and the program will output the estimated sample size.
Example
Example 7.12 on p. 124 from Zar, J. H. (2010). Select Statistics 1 → Sample Size and Power Estimation → Variance and the Sample Size option. Enter the following data at the next dialogue:
Sample Size and Power Estimation: Variance
Sample Size
| 
   Sample Variance =  | 
  
   2.6898  | 
 
| 
   Population Variance =  | 
  
   1.5000  | 
 
| 
   Power of the Test =  | 
  
   0.9000  | 
 
| 
   Confidence Level =  | 
  
   0.9500  | 
 
| 
   Estimated Sample Size =  | 
  
   50.7813  | 
 
6.7.3.2. Power of the Test for Variance
Power of the test is defined as the following probability:
   
Since the first chi-square value on the right hand side of this equation depends on β, an iterational algorithm should be employed.
The user is expected to enter:
· Sample Size
· Sample Variance
· Population Variance
· Confidence Level
and the program will output the estimated chi-square statistic and its p-value, β.
Example
The example on p. 124 from Zar, J. H. (2010). Select Statistics 1 → Sample Size and Power Estimation → Variance and the Power of the Test option. Enter the following data at the next dialogue:
Sample Size and Power Estimation: Variance
Power of the Test
| 
   Sample Size =  | 
  
   8.0000  | 
 
| 
   Sample Variance =  | 
  
   2.6898  | 
 
| 
   Population Variance =  | 
  
   1.5000  | 
 
| 
   Confidence Level =  | 
  
   0.9500  | 
 
| 
   Power of the Test:  | 
  
   
  | 
 
| 
   Chi-Square Statistic =  | 
  
   7.8447  | 
 
| 
   Right-Tail Probability =  | 
  
   0.3465  | 
 
