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Understand Sample Size to Guard Against False Discoveries
A small sample size significantly impacts the false discovery rate (FDR) in research, leading to a higher likelihood of false discoveries when true discoveries are limited due to low statistical power. Researchers often mistakenly believe that a small sample primarily increases the chance of false negatives, while the reality is it also elevates false positives because fewer true discoveries lead to a larger proportion of significant results being false. Additionally, the supposed protection against false discoveries provided by a 5% error rate is independent of sample size, complicating how researchers interpret statistical significance and FDR. Thus, understanding this balance is crucial for interpreting research results accurately.