Sample Size Determination Research Articles

Economic Environment and Entrepreneurial Development in North Central, Nigeria

This work sought to determine the impact of Economic Environment (EE) and Entrepreneurial development in North central, Nigeria. The unprecedented factors arising from inconsistencies, to lack of continuity of policies and programmes implementation constitute a lot of constraints that impede on the establishment, growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the North central, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to: (i) Ascertain the extent to which unemployment rate effects start-up business and entrepreneurial development in North central, Nigeria. (ii) Evaluate the extent to which total tax rate effects the growth of business enterprises in North central, Nigeria. (iii) Assess the extent to which domestic interest rate by banks to private sector impact on entrepreneurship development in North central, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design, and ex-post facto, the population of the study was 18,173 staff made of owner-founder and management staff, from 2,178 private enterprises that registered with the respective state ministries of trade, commerce, industry and tourism in North central, Nigeria. A sample size of 377 was drawn from the population using Krejcie and Morgan (1970), sample size determination. The instrument used for data collection was mixed method: Quantitative method (structured questionnaire) and Ex-post facto (secondary data). The hypothesis were tested using Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Phillips Perron (PP) to ascertain the time series properties of the variable for hypothesis one. Hypotheses two and three were tested using simple linear regression. The findings revealed that, to a large extent the listed Economic factors had significant negative relationship with entrepreneurial development in North central, Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that, there should be strategic policy by government and individual put in place to ensure substantive numbers of work force engaged in both private and public sectors; government should encouraged entrepreneurial development by enforcing on financial institutions to issue one-digit interest rate loan to entrepreneurs and business concern to boost business activities in the region. More so the issue of double taxation on entrepreneurial activities should be minimized or avoided to provide a level plane ground for business enterprises to strive, grow and develop in North central, Nigeria.

Continuous training based on the needs of operating room nurses using web application: a new approach to improve their knowledge

IntroductionSince university education and intensive and limited pre-service training do not provide an acceptable level of performing the duties of operating room nurses, and considering the limitations of traditional training methods in the field of operating room; This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of using the electronic education approach based on web application, leveled, personalized and based on the needs of nurses on their level of knowledge and satisfaction.Materials and methodsThis research is a quasi-experimental type of single-group multi-center pre-test-post-test, which during that, four stages of educational needs assessment, educational content design, web application design for training and evaluation of operating room nurses and determining the effectiveness of this method are included. Based on their knowledge and satisfaction, during this period, 36 nurses from the operating rooms that met the study criteria were included in the study by stratified random sampling based on the determined sample size. The data collection includes a four-choice test to measure the knowledge of operating room nurses in heart anatomy (score range 0–20), the principles of movement, transferring and positioning of the patient in the operating room (score range 0–15), the principles of ergonomics in the operating room (score range score 0–10) and satisfaction questionnaire (score range 0–28). Data collected using descriptive statistical tests (percentage of frequency and frequency, mean and standard deviation) and analytical tests (paired sample t-test, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, chi-square) with the software SPSS version 16 was analyzed.ResultsGenerally, the average knowledge scores of operating room nurses before and after the intervention were 5.96 ± 3.96 vs. 13.6 ± 3.77, in the course of principles of moving, transferring and positioning the patient in the operating room were 6.3 ± 3.42 vs. 13.3 ± 1.32, respectively 8.7 ± 3.97 vs. 18.1 ± 1.07 (in heart anatomy), 1.57 ± 2.6 vs. 0.73 ± 9.1 (in the principles of ergonomics in the operating room) and the average Knowledge scores after the intervention were significantly higher than before the intervention (P<0.001). Also, the average satisfaction score of nurses was 21.3 ± 5.83 and 22 nurses (64.7%) were satisfied with the e-learning course.ConclusionThe use of the electronic education approach based on the web application, leveled, personalized and based on the needs of the nurses, led to the improvement of the level of knowledge and satisfaction of the operating room nurses. E-learning can be used as a complementary educational tool and method for continuous training of operating room nurses in other specialized fields of operating room and surgery.Highlights• Educational content in the form of educational videos taught by professors of medical sciences universities on each of the topics of heart anatomy (28 episodes of 5–10 minutes), principles of ergonomics in the operating room (7 episodes of 5–25 minutes) and movement principles. The transfer and positioning of the patient in the operating room (16 episodes of 10–20 minutes) were designed in three primary, intermediate and advanced levels.• The results of this study showed that the use of an electronic education approach based on the web application, levelled, personalized and based on the needs of nurses, led to the improvement of the knowledge of operating room nurses. Also, operating room nurses were delighted with electronic training courses. E-learning can be used as a complementary educational tool and method for continuous training of operating room nurses in other specialized fields of operating room and surgery.• Based on the results of this study, the use of an electronic education approach based on the needs of operating room nurses can be used as a complementary tool to conventional continuous education. Since this method allows interactive, personalized education is levelled, and asynchronous. It can be used at any time and place on a laptop, tablet or mobile phone; a wide range of operating room nurses in the hospitals of the Islamic Republic of Iran can use it for educational justice to Many borders should be established in the country. However, there are studies to evaluate the generalizability and the effect of using the e-learning approach on the clinical skills of operating room nurses and to compare the effect of e-learning with other methods and educational tools on the knowledge and skills of the learners and the extent of consolidating the learned material in their memory.

The use of real-world data for clinical investigation of effectiveness in drug development

ABSTRACT With the growing interest in leveraging real-world data (RWD) to support effectiveness evaluations for new indications, new target populations, and post-market performance, the United States Food and Drug Administration has published several guidance documents on RWD sources and real-world studies (RWS) to assist sponsors in generating credible real-world evidence (RWE). Meanwhile, the randomized controlled trial (RCT) remains the gold standard in drug evaluation. Along this line, we propose a hybrid two-stage adaptive design to evaluate effectiveness based on evidence from both RCT and RWS. At the first stage, a typical non-inferiority test is conducted using RCT data to test for not-ineffectiveness. Once not-ineffectiveness is established, the study proceeds to the second stage to conduct an RWS and test for effectiveness using integrated information from RCT and RWD. The composite likelihood approach is implemented as a down-weighing strategy to account for the impact of high variability in RWS population. An optimal sample size determination procedure for RCT and RWS is introduced, aiming to achieve the minimal expected sample size. Through extensive numerical study, the proposed design demonstrates the ability to control type I error inflation in most cases and consistently maintain statistical power above the desired level. In general, this RCT/RWS hybrid two-stage adaptive design is beneficial for effectiveness evaluations in drug development, especially for oncology and rare diseases.

Simulation-based sample size calculations of marginal proportional means models for recurrent events with competing risks.

In randomised controlled trials, the outcome of interest could be recurrent events, such as hospitalisations for heart failure. If mortality rates are non-negligible, both recurrent events and competing terminal events need to be addressed when formulating the estimand and statistical analysis is no longer trivial. In order to design future trials with primary recurrent event endpoints with competing risks, it is necessary to be able to perform power calculations to determine sample sizes. This paper introduces a simulation-based approach for power estimation based on a proportional means model for recurrent events and a proportional hazards model for terminal events. The simulation procedure is presented along with a discussion of what the user needs to specify to use the approach. The method is flexible and based on marginal quantities which are easy to specify. However, the method introduces a lack of a certain type of dependence. This is explored in a sensitivity analysis which suggests that the power is robust in spite of that. Data from a randomised controlled trial, LEADER, is used as the basis for generating data for a future trial. Finally, potential power gains of recurrent event methods as opposed to first event methods are discussed.

Delegation and Employee Prosocial Behaviour in the Hospitality Sector in Port Harcourt

This study primarily examined the relationship between delegation and employee prosocial behaviour in the hospitality sector in Port Harcourt. The study adopted the cross-sectional research survey design. Primary data was generated through structured questionnaire. The population of the study was 1674 employees of 11 selected hotels in Port Harcourt. The sample size was also drawn using the Krejcie and Morgan (1980) sample size determination table. The reliability of the instrument was achieved by the use of the Cronbach Alpha coefficient with all the items scoring above 0.70. The hypotheses were tested using the Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient. The tests were carried out at a 0.05 significance level. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between delegation and employee prosocial behaviour in the hospitality sector in Port Harcourt. Hence, the study concludes that delegation positively enhances employee prosocial behaviour in the hospitality sector in Port Harcourt. Implying that when organizations in hospitality sector actively engage in joint consultation practices, such as open communication, collaboration, and employee involvement in decision-making, there is a notable improvement in prosocial behaviors among employees. Therefore, the study recommends that there is a need to strengthen delegation platforms which involves creating structured forums where both management and employees can engage in meaningful discussions. This could include regular town hall meetings, feedback sessions, and collaborative workshops. By fostering an environment of open communication, these platforms can serve as a foundation for building a positive relationship between stakeholders.

Sample Size Optimization for Digital Soil Mapping: An Empirical Example

In the evolving field of digital soil mapping (DSM), the determination of sample size remains a pivotal challenge, particularly for large-scale regional projects. We introduced the Jensen-Shannon Divergence (DJS), a novel tool recently applied to DSM, to determine optimal sample sizes for a 2790 km2 area in Ontario, Canada. Utilizing 1791 observations, we generated maps for cation exchange capacity (CEC), clay content, pH, and soil organic carbon (SOC). We then assessed sample sets ranging from 50 to 4000 through conditioned Latin hypercube sampling (cLHS), feature space coverage sampling (FSCS), and simple random sampling (SRS) to calibrate random forest models, analyzing performance via concordance correlation coefficient and root mean square error. Findings reveal DJS as a robust estimator for optimal sample sizes—865 for cLHS, 874 for FSCS, and 869 for SRS, with property-specific optimal sizes indicating the potential for enhanced DSM accuracy. This methodology facilitates a strategic approach to sample size determination, significantly improving the precision of large-scale soil mapping. Conclusively, our research validates the utility of DJS in DSM, offering a scalable solution. This advancement holds considerable promise for improving soil management and sustainability practices, underpinning the critical role of precise soil data in agricultural productivity and environmental conservation.

Pengaruh Disiplin Kerja, Motivasi Kerja Dan Lingkungan Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Bagian Produksi PT. Karya Mina Putra Divisi Kayu Rembang

This study aims to prove and explain the effect of work discipline, work motivation, workenvironment on the performance of production employees of PT Karya Mina Putra RembangWood Division. The population used consisted of 217 employees of the productiondepartment of PT Karya Mina Putra Rembang Wood Division. The sample selectiontechnique used accidental sampling with the determination of sample size using the slovinformula obtained 68 samples. Data collection through questionnaire survey. Data analysisusing multiple linear regression. The results of this study indicate that work discipline has anegative and insignificant effect on employee performance, work motivation has a positiveand insignificant effect on employee performance, while the work environment has asignificant positive effect on employee performance. The adjusted R square value is 0.215, itmeans that 21.5% of variations in employee performance can be explained by variations inthe three independent variables, namely work discipline, work motivation and workenvironment, while the remaining 78.5% is explained by other factors not examined in thisstudy

Study Design and Research Protocol for diagnostic or prognostic studies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Biostatistician’s Perspective

Introduction: As the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare continues to advance, the need for rigorous study design and research protocols tailored to diagnostic and prognostic studies becomes paramount.Aim: The primary objective of this work is to highlight the biostatistician’s point of view about the key points of the research protocol involving AI. Methods: Assessing the current state-of-the-art guidelines, we outline the methodological challenges faced by biostatisticians when collaborating on research protocols in the era of AI-driven medical research. Results: The proposed overview on research protocol involving AI elucidates key considerations in study design, encompassing evaluations of data quality, analysis of biases, methodological approaches, determination of sample size, and validation strategies tailored specifically to AI applications. This position paper underscores the pivotal role of strong statistical frameworks in ensuring the reliability, validity, and applicability of findings derived from AI-based diagnostic and prognostic models. Moreover, the paper seeks to highlight the critical importance of incorporating transparent reporting standards to enhance the reproducibility and clarity of AI-driven studies. Conclusions: By offering a comprehensive biostatistician’s viewpoint, this paper strives to significantly contribute to the methodological progression of diagnostic and prognostic studies in the era of Artificial Intelligence.

On the distribution of the power function for the scale parameter of exponential families.

The expected value of the standard power function of a test, computed with respect to a design prior distribution, is often used to evaluate the probability of success of an experiment. However, looking only at the expected value might be reductive. Instead, the whole probability distribution of the power function induced by the design prior can be exploited. In this article we consider one-sided testing for the scale parameter of exponential families and we derive general unifying expressions for cumulative distribution and density functions of the random power. Sample size determination criteria based on alternative summaries of these functions are discussed. The study sheds light on the relevance of the choice of the design prior in order to construct a successful experiment.

Power calculation for detecting interaction effect in cross-sectional stepped-wedge cluster randomized trials: an important tool for disparity research

BackgroundThe stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial (SW-CRT) design has become popular in healthcare research. It is an appealing alternative to traditional cluster randomized trials (CRTs) since the burden of logistical issues and ethical problems can be reduced. Several approaches for sample size determination for the overall treatment effect in the SW-CRT have been proposed. However, in certain situations we are interested in examining the heterogeneity in treatment effect (HTE) between groups instead. This is equivalent to testing the interaction effect. An important example includes the aim to reduce racial disparities through healthcare delivery interventions, where the focus is the interaction between the intervention and race. Sample size determination and power calculation for detecting an interaction effect between the intervention status variable and a key covariate in the SW-CRT study has not been proposed yet for binary outcomes.MethodsWe utilize the generalized estimating equation (GEE) method for detecting the heterogeneity in treatment effect (HTE). The variance of the estimated interaction effect is approximated based on the GEE method for the marginal models. The power is calculated based on the two-sided Wald test. The Kauermann and Carroll (KC) and the Mancl and DeRouen (MD) methods along with GEE (GEE-KC and GEE-MD) are considered as bias-correction methods.ResultsAmong three approaches, GEE has the largest simulated power and GEE-MD has the smallest simulated power. Given cluster size of 120, GEE has over 80% statistical power. When we have a balanced binary covariate (50%), simulated power increases compared to an unbalanced binary covariate (30%). With intermediate effect size of HTE, only cluster sizes of 100 and 120 have more than 80% power using GEE for both correlation structures. With large effect size of HTE, when cluster size is at least 60, all three approaches have more than 80% power. When we compare an increase in cluster size and increase in the number of clusters based on simulated power, the latter has a slight gain in power. When the cluster size changes from 20 to 40 with 20 clusters, power increases from 53.1% to 82.1% for GEE; 50.6% to 79.7% for GEE-KC; and 48.1% to 77.1% for GEE-MD. When the number of clusters changes from 20 to 40 with cluster size of 20, power increases from 53.1% to 82.1% for GEE; 50.6% to 81% for GEE-KC; and 48.1% to 79.8% for GEE-MD.ConclusionsWe propose three approaches for cluster size determination given the number of clusters for detecting the interaction effect in SW-CRT. GEE and GEE-KC have reasonable operating characteristics for both intermediate and large effect size of HTE.

Moderating Influence of Government Water Policy on the Relationship between PM&amp;E Approach and Implementation of Water Projects in Machakos County of Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish moderating influence of Government water policy on the relationship between PM&amp;E Approach and Implementation of water projects in Machakos County of Kenya.&#x0D; Materials and Method: The study was anchored on Pragmatic paradigm and used descriptive survey research design. The target population for this study was Machakos County water representatives both staff and Community water representatives. Research sample comprised of; Water Resources Users Association officials, Water Resource Management Authority, County Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Water Services Trust Fund and Tana Athi Water Services Agency, giving a total target population of 572 individuals. The sample size of the study was derived from the various strata’s by using Krejcie and Morgan Table for sample size determination which gave a sample size of 226 participants. The research instruments used included: questionnaires; Key informant Interviews, Focus Group discussions, observation, documents review and Interview guides. SPSS version 24 was used to analyze the data using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, composite mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data was analysed by content analysis.&#x0D; Findings: Findings of the study were presented using tables. The study was pegged on theory of change. This study is significant to policy makers, students and primary stakeholders. The study established that there is a relationship between PM&amp;E Approach and Implementation of water projects. It was concluded that government water policy has significant moderating relationship between participatory monitoring and evaluation process and implementation of water projects.&#x0D; Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that all departments both in county and national government to work in cooperation to ensure that security in the area is maintained so that vandalism of water resources is eliminated.

The Influence of Observability on The Adoption of Tissue Culture Banana Seedlings in Tanzania

In the seedling’s technology, Banana farming is undergoing a profound transformation with the integration of advanced technologies, referred to as tissue culture banana seedlings. The study delves into the empires of seedling technology and innovations adoption within the banana farming sector. We explore the dynamic interactions between Tissue culture innovation, and the farmer's adoption. The study adopted positivism philosophy, a cross-sectional survey design, and purposive sampling techniques. A sample size of 350 banana farmers in Kilimanjaro was drawn from the population of the study using Yamen formula for sample size determination. Since the outcome variable was dichotomous the binary logistic regression model was employed. The results indicate that, the highest mean was for the statement “Banana tissue culture seedlings grow faster compared to local suckers” (M=3.75), indicating the speed of growth is seen as a clear observable benefit. Standard deviations were relatively low, ranging from 0.826 to 0.872, indicating less variation in responses. These results suggest smallholder farmers perceive tissue culture banana seedlings as having moderately high observability, especially related to the visible benefits of faster planting growth and income generation compared to using local banana seedlings. We shed light on the adoption of tissue culture seedlings. Adoption is reshaping traditional suckers’ practices, enhancing productivity and business opportunity. Farmers adoption will leads to the economic development and job creation. Farmers markets provide opportunities for small farmers and businesses to sell their products, and support to meet the growing demand for locally produced food.

Practical Status of Effective Educational Planning and Teachers’ Performance in Nigeria

ABSTRACTThis study aimed at assessing the status of effective educational planning and staff performance in some selected schools in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Two research questions were established to achieve the objectives of the study. A descriptive-survey research design was adopted. The population of the study consisted of all Public Secondary Schools in Gusau Metropolis of Zamfara State, having a total of 24 public secondary schools with 670 teachers. A total number of 12 public secondary schools and 225 in-service teachers were sampled to serve as participants in this study using simple random sampling technique. The sample size was determined using Morgan and Krejcie (1971) table of determining sample size. For the purpose of data collection, two (2) self-structured questionnaires were constructed on a 4-point Likert’s Scale with 29 constructs. The data analysis was made using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics tools. The results revealed that, the status of effective educational planning in public schools in Zamfara State was found at a ‘High Extent’ with statistical value of (M=4.56, SD=3.95). Similarly, the status of staff performance in public schools in Zamfara State was found at a ‘High Extent’ with statistical value of (M=3.69, SD=2.61). Based findings, in order to maintain the high level of the effectiveness of educational planning in Nigeria, the Federal, State, and Local, and Governments as well as other relevant international and local organizations should put hands on deck in employing more professional planners and deploy them to the ministries and agencies for effective planning of education

Sample size determination for time-to-event endpoints in randomized selection trials with generalized exponential distribution

Randomized selection trials are frequently used to compare experimental treatments that have the potential to be beneficial, but they often do not include a control group. While time-to-event endpoints are commonly applied in clinical investigations, methodologies for determining the required sample size for such endpoints, except exponential distribution, are lacking. In recent times, there has been a shift in clinical trials, with a growing emphasis on progression-free survival as a primary endpoint. However, the utilization of this measure has typically been restricted to specific time points for both sample size determination and analysis. This alteration in approach could wield a substantial influence on the clinical trial process, potentially diminishing the capacity to discern variances between treatment groups. In the calculation of sample sizes for randomized trials, this investigation operates under the assumption that the time-to-event endpoint conforms to either an exponential, Weibull, or generalized exponential distribution.

Nurses' ethical responsibilities: Whistleblowing and advocacy in patient safety.

In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, nurses play a crucial role as ethical stewards, responsible for whistleblowing, nurse advocacy, and patient safety. Their duties involve ensuring patient well-being through ethical practices and advocacy initiatives. This study investigates the ethical responsibilities of nurses regarding whistleblowing and advocacy in reporting concerns about patient safety. A cross-sectional study utilized cluster and simple random sampling to gather a representative sample of actively practicing registered nurses. Data collection involved a demographic form, Nurse Whistleblowing Intentions Scale, Nursing Advocacy Scale, and Clinical Decision-Making Scale. The study utilizing a robust sample size determination formula for reliable findings included 96 diverse nurses, predominantly females. Engaged actively in direct patient care across various outpatients clinics. The recruitment process specifically sought individuals with expertise in safety protocols and reporting, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the study's focus. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethics committee of the university and the hospitals involved. Written consent was obtained from the participants. A thorough ethical review was conducted to guarantee participant protection and adherence to ethical principles. Surveyed nurses demonstrated positive whistleblowing (Overall Mean Score: 3.58), high advocacy (Overall Mean Score: 12.2), and nuanced ethical decision-making for patient safety (Overall Mean Score: 15.78). Demographic factors, such as nationality and ethical training, significantly impacted whistleblowing intentions, while age, gender, and ethical training correlated with nursing advocacy behavior. Associations with experience and qualification emerged in ethical decision-making. The gained insights foster targeted interventions, improving ethical practices, advocacy, and informed decision-making in nursing. This study explores the intricate link between demographics and ethical considerations among surveyed nurses, acting as a catalyst for ongoing initiatives to strengthen the ethical foundation in healthcare sector.

Sample size determination for interval estimation of the prevalence of a sensitive attribute under non-randomized response models.

A sufficient number of participants should be included to adequately address the research interest in the surveys with sensitive questions. In this paper, sample size formulas/iterative algorithms are developed from the perspective of controlling the confidence interval width of the prevalence of a sensitive attribute under four non-randomized response models: the crosswise model, parallel model, Poisson item count technique model and negative binomial item count technique model. In contrast to the conventional approach for sample size determination, our sample size formulas/algorithms explicitly incorporate an assurance probability of controlling the width of a confidence interval within the pre-specified range. The performance of the proposed methods is evaluated with respect to the empirical coverage probability, empirical assurance probability and confidence width. Simulation results show that all formulas/algorithms are effective and hence are recommended for practical applications. A real example is used to illustrate the proposed methods.

Management Style and Employee Turnover in the Insurance Industry in Kenya

Purpose: To establish the influence of management style on employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya&#x0D; Methodology: The study applied descriptive explanatory research design. The target population was 404 senior staff drawn from 48 insurance companies in Kenya. The sample size for this study was 197 respondents determined using Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination formula. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 197 managers. The study collected both primary and secondary data where questionnaires were used to collect primary data. The study carried out both descriptive and inferential analyses. Results from analysed data were presented in tables.&#x0D; Results: The results obtained from correlation analysis revealed a negative significant correlation between management style on employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya at p&lt;0.05. The findings show that management style and employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya had a strong negative and significant relationship (r= -0.574, p&lt;0.05). The relationship was considered significant since the p-value (0.000) was less than the selected level of significance (0.05). The model summary results show that the R-squared is 0.733 which suggests that 73.3% of all variation in employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya are explained by changes in management style.&#x0D; Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Maslow's (1943), hierarchy of needs theory used in this study may be used to anchor future studies on describing how employees' needs are placed into five progressive categories, beginning with basic physical needs and progressing up to needs for personal growth. The study recommends that the management of insurance companies should always involve staff in making organizations decisions and programs and ensures getting their approval in important matters before going ahead. According to the study, policy makers should formulate policies that will ensure that insurance companies embrace appropriate management styles.

Navigating Sample Size Determination in Educational Research: A Rapid Review Unveiling Strategies, Challenges, and Recommendations.

Background By conducting an in-depth study of the publications, a review was conducted with the goal of evaluating the sample size in educational research. The sample size, represented by the letter “n,” is a key factor in this research because it specifies the number of participants who represent the target population. Although various studies have been published in the literature defining the processes for calculating sample sizes, there is still much uncertainty. It is vital to understand that there is no single all-encompassing method for determining sample sizes for different study designs. Instead, different study designs call for different approaches to determine sample numbers. Methods Information was retrieved from the databases in accordance with updated PRISMA recommendations. The keywords used for the retrieval of the relevant articles from two databases (Google Scholar and PubMed). The articles were selected by thorough scrutiny and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results Seven articles were selected from the 9282 articles. The comparison was made among the studies in the relation to methods, objective, and outcome from the enrolled studies. Conclusions The evaluation of the seven studies as a whole concluded that the sample size for testing any novel approach essentially required 24.24 participants in each group. The median sample size for the simulation-based educational research was 30. Further research is required to determine the proper sample size based on a single universal formula for all types of designs.

Work Environment and Employee Turnover in the Insurance Industry in Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of work environment on employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya.&#x0D; Methodology: Descriptive explanatory research design was applied by the study. The study target population was 404 senior staff working in the 48 insurance companies in Kenya. Based on Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination formula the sample size for this study was 197 respondents. The 197 managers were chosen with the help of stratified random sampling technique. Primary and secondary data was collected where questionnaires were used to collect primary data. The study used SPSS version 25 software to analyse the data. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out. Results from analysed data were presented in tables.&#x0D; Results: The inferential statistics results revealed a negative significant relationship between work environment on employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya at p&lt;0.05. Work environment on employee turnover in the insurance industry had a Pearson’s correlation of (r= -.769, p&lt;0.05). Since the p-value (0.023) was less than the selected level of significance (0.05), the relationship was considered significant. This therefore suggests that work environment affects employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya. The R-squared for the relationship between work environment and employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya was 0.404; this is an indication that at 95% confidence interval, 40.4% variation in employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya can be attributed to changes in work environment. However, the remaining 59.6% variation in employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya suggests that there are other factors other than work environment that explain employee turnover in the insurance industry in Kenya. &#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Theory Z used in this study may be used to anchor future studies on describing how providing a job for life with a strong focus on the well-being of the employee, both on and off the job increases employee loyalty to the company. The study recommends that the management of insurance companies should always build a conducive work environment through emphasis on goals. Create a harmonious non-physical work environment and pay attention to the physical work environment of employees at work. According to the study, policy makers should formulate policies that will ensure that insurance companies build a work environment that attracts, retain and motivate its employees so that to help them work comfortable and increase organization productivity.

Effects of Total Quality Control Practices On Employee Retention: A Study of Dangote Group of Company Limited Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

This study evaluated the effects of total quality control practices on employee retention of Dangote Group of Company Calabar, Cross River State. The study employed survey research design. The population of the study was two hundred and sixty (260) respondents. The sample size for this study was one hundred and fifty-five (155) respondents from the Dangote Group of Company Limited Calabar, selected for the study using Krejcie and Morgan Table of 1970 for sample size determination. The instrument used for the study was a structured questionnaire using 4-pointLikert scales. Simple linear regression analysis model was employed to analyzed the data and test the study hypotheses. The study revealed that employee involvement had a significant effect on employees’ retention of Dangote Group of Company Limited Calabar, Cross River State. The study revealed that continuous training and education had a significant effect on employees’ retention of Dangote Group of Company Limited Calabar. Also, it was found that top management commitment had a significant effect on employees’ retention of Dangote Group of Company Limited Calabar. The study also showed that process improvement had a significant effect on employees’ retention of Dangote Group of Company Limited Calabar. The study recommended that management should allow workers to participate and contribute to quality problems and decisions in setting quality standard of the organizational products in the organization. The management of the organization should at all times train and educates the employees on new quality standards and other quality related matters or issues in order to maintain quality products and services. &#x0D;