Sample size and statistical power consideration for diagnostic test research

Although power analysis is of important tool of research, investigators in veterinary medicine are unaware of the concepts of the statistical power. Two types of error occur in classical hypothesis testing and, those errors should be avoided, if possible. Since power is highly dependent on the sample size, whenever declaring non-statistically significant result they should consider the potential for committing a Type II error in their studies, which refers to the probability of falsely stating that two treatments are equivalent despite true difference between them. Also, sample size determination is one of the most important tasks facing the researcher when planning a diagnostic study, and provides valuable information on the characteristics of a test performance. This type of analysis forms the basis for proper interpretation of test results. The aim of this article was to re-evaluate some selected studies on diagnostic test reported in the domestic veterinary publications to determine the power and necessary sample size for inequality testing to ensure the desired power. Power calculations were illustrated using real-life examples of comparison of a new test and a reference test for detecting antibodies of various animal diseases. Factors affecting to the power were also discussed.