---
url: "https://questionstar.com/principles-of-survey-research/chapter-4/slide-146.html"
title: "What If the Population Is Small?"
type: "lehrbuch-slide"
chapter: 4
chapterTitle: "Sampling"
slide: 146
---

# What If the Population Is Small?

*If the sample is larger than 10% of the population, corrections are necessary.*

For a margin of error of **± 1 %** you would need:

n = (1 / 0.01)² = 100²

10.000

But what if the population comprises only **100 elements** ? (e.g. car manufacturers)

Rule of Thumb

If the sample is larger than 10% of the population, corrections are necessary.

Otherwise the formula overestimates the required size — the finite population reduces the actual sampling error.

Calculations show approximate values for a 95% confidence level

---

*Slide 146 of 274 · Chapter 4: Sampling · Principles of Survey Research · Dr. Paul Marx*