Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by saym 2277 days ago
Does "N=16" mean they've approved this test after such limited testing?

I think my high school stats class told me not to trust studies where N < 30.

2 comments

I think the acceptable value for N depends on the size of the effect being studied.

For example if it’s a massive effect, maybe 10 people is sufficient, but if it’s tiny enough to get swallowed up in statistical noise until you have 1000, then you need N >= 1000

I would be told off if I coded with magic global variables and is why I find math and bio frustrating. Care to explain the purpose of N?
Its the number of people they used to test.