Margin of Error for Two Independent Sample Means
Use the Interval Explorer for Two Independent Sample Means to determine a sample size for a confidence interval. Select DOE > Sample Size Explorers > Confidence Intervals > Margin of Error for Two Independent Sample Means. Explore the trade offs between variability assumptions, sample size, significance, and the margin of error for your interval.
Interval Explorer for Two Independent Sample Mean Options
Set study assumptions and explore sample sizes using the radio buttons, text boxes, and sliders. The curve updates as you make changes to the settings. Alternatively, change settings by dragging the cross hairs on the curve or adjusting the values in the axis text boxes.
Interval Type
Bound
Specifies a one-sided interval (upper or lower bound)
Interval
Specifies a two-sided interval
Fixed Parameters
Alpha
Specifies the confidence level, 1 - Alpha. The default alpha level is 0.05 for a 95% confidence interval.
Group 1 StdDev (σ1)
Specifies the assumed standard deviation for one of your groups, Group 1.
Group 2 StdDev (σ2)
Specifies the assumed standard deviation for the second group, Group 2.
Population standard deviations known
Specifies calculations based on known population standard deviations.
Interval Parameters
Parameters that are inter-related and update as you make changes.
Group 1 Sample Size
Specifies the number of observations (runs, experimental units, or samples) needed for Group 1 in your experiment. Select Lock to lock the Group 1 sample size.
Group 2 Sample Size
Specifies the number of observations (runs, experimental units, or samples) needed for Group 2 in your experiment. Select Lock to lock the Group 2 sample size.
Total Sample Size
Specifies the total number of observations (runs, experimental units, or samples) needed for your experiment. The margin of error curve is based on total sample size. Select Lock to lock the total sample size.
Note: Adjusting the sample size for one group adjusts the total sample size unless the total sample size is locked. In that case, adjusting the sample size for one group adjust the sample size for the second group. Adjusting the total sample size adjusts the two groups proportionally, unless one group is locked. Use only one lock at a time.
Margin of Error
Specifies the half-width of the interval. With all other parameters fixed, margin of error decreases as sample size increases.
Save Settings
Saves the current settings to the Saved Settings table. This enables you to save a set of alternative study plans. See Saved Settings in the Sample Size Explorers.
Make Data Collection Table
Creates a new data table that you can use for data collection.
Statistical Details for the Two Independent Sample Interval Explorer
The interval calculations for capturing the difference in population means is based on the standard normal or t distributions based on whether σ1 and σ2 are known or unknown.
The margin of error (MOE) is calculated as follows:
When σ1 and σ2 are unknown, the bounds are calculated as follows:
where
When σ is known, the bounds are calculated as follows:
