#144 - The Craft of Sample Sizes with Lauren Stern of WHOOP

In this episode, Carol and Erin dive into all things research sample sizes with Lauren Stern. No matter your experience with user research, you'll need to recruit folks, making this an evergreen topic. Lauren has coached both new-to-research and junior UXRs on this critical topic and she shares some of her best advice.

Lauren shares importance considerations and nuances around different types of studies and even analysis approaches. She also unpacks her approach for international samples, the impact of drop-off rates, and participant compensation strategies.

Going beyond sample sizes, we conclude with a discussion of how to better engage with stakeholders when advocating sample sizes, making these conversations about "how many to recruit" more informed. She also shares resources to use when making the case to stakeholders.

Episode Highlights

• 05:41 - Crafting research goals and parameters: a collaborative journey
• 13:48 - Flexible research design: navigating sample sizes and methodologies
• 19:57 - Tailoring sample sizes to research objectives: finding the right fit 
• 26:30 - Qualitative confidence and stakeholder expectations
• 34:11 - Diverse methodologies in quantitative research: beyond surveys
• 43:05 - Departing research wisdom on sample sizes generally

About Our Guest
Lauren Stern is a mixed-methods research leader focused on creating the most human-centered technology possible. Over the last ten years her work has explored how perception and social cognition shape our experiences with automated systems from military zones to living rooms. Whether exploring individual experiences in the field or looking at large-scale data collections, she loves the puzzle of study design and coaching new researchers through the process.

Resources on Sample Sizes

• This free calculator gives sample ranges based on your study needs.
• Need some research-backed sample size help? Bookmark this today.
• You must pay participants. This calculator helps ensure an fair amount.