Sample Size Calculation for Animal Studies Using Degree of Freedom (E); an Easy and Statistically Defined Approach for Metabolomics and Genetic Research

Abstract

To find how many animal we should include in our study is the most confusing decision for young researchers. The use of too small number of animals will lead to lack of real experimental statistical significance or will miss the novel findings and too many numbers of animals will lead to waste of money, resources, time and ethical issue. Sample size calculation from statistical point of view is very confusing and difficult to understand for researchers, but reliability of statistical calculation is much higher than simple sample size calculation based on crude methods. The problem of sample size for clinical studies has been explained well and almost solved with many solutions for researchers. Still animal numbers justification is a problem for young scientists and not explored well in literature yet.