Confidence Interval: Proportion (Large Sample)
This lesson describes how to construct a
confidence interval
for a sample proportion, p, when the sample size is large.
Estimation Requirements
The approach described in this lesson is valid whenever the
following conditions are met:
- The sample is sufficiently large. As a rule of thumb, a sample is considered
"sufficiently large" if it includes at least 10 successes and 10 failures.
Note the implications of the second condition. If the population proportion were close to 0.5,
the sample size required to produce at least 10 successes and at least 10 failures would probably be close to
20. But if the population proportion were extreme (i.e., close to 0 or 1), a much larger sample
would probably be needed to produce at least 10 successes and 10 failures.
For example, imagine that the probability of success were 0.1, and the sample were selected using simple
random sampling. In this situation, a sample size close to 100 might be
needed to get 10 successes.
The Variability of the Sample Proportion
To construct a
confidence interval
for a sample proportion, we need to know the variability of
the sample proportion. This means we need to know
how to compute the
standard deviation
or the
standard error
of the
sampling distribution.
- Suppose k possible samples of size n can be selected
from the population.
The standard deviation of the sampling distribution is
the "average" deviation between the k sample
proportions and the true population proportion, P.
The standard deviation of the sample proportion
σp is:
σp = sqrt[ P *
( 1 - P ) / n ] * sqrt[ ( N - n ) / ( N - 1 ) ]
where P is the population proportion, n is the
sample size, and N is the population size. When the population
size is much larger (at least 20 times larger) than the sample
size, the standard deviation can be approximated by:
σp = sqrt[ P * ( 1 - P ) / n ]
- When the true population proportion P is not known, the
standard deviation of the sampling distribution cannot be
calculated. Under these circumstances,
use the standard error.
The standard error (SE) can be calculated from the equation below.
SEp = sqrt[ p *
( 1 - p ) / n ] * sqrt[ ( N - n ) / ( N - 1 ) ]
where p is the sample proportion, n is the
sample size, and N is the population size. When the population
size at least 20 times larger than the sample size, the standard
error can be approximated by:
SEp = sqrt[ p *
( 1 - p ) / n ]
Alert
The Advanced Placement Statistics
Examination only covers the "approximate" formulas for the standard
deviation and standard error.
σp = sqrt[ P * ( 1 - P ) / n ]
SEp = sqrt[ p * ( 1 - p ) / n ]
However, students are expected to be
aware of the limitations of these formulas; namely, the
approximate formulas should only be used when the population
size is at least 20 times larger than the sample size.
How to Find the Confidence Interval for a Proportion
Previously, we described
how to construct confidence intervals. For convenience, we
repeat the key steps below.
- Identify a sample statistic. In this case, the sample statistic is the sample proportion.
We use the sample proportion to
estimate the population proportion.
- Select a confidence level. The confidence level describes the
uncertainty of a sampling
method. Often, researchers choose 90%, 95%, or 99% confidence
levels; but any percentage can be used.
- Find the margin of error. Previously, we showed
how to compute the margin of error.
- Specify the confidence interval. The range of the confidence
interval is defined by the sample statistic +
margin of error. And the uncertainty is denoted
by the confidence level.
In the next section, we work through a problem that shows how to use
this approach to construct a confidence interval for a proportion.
Sample Size Calculator
As you may have noticed, the four steps required to specify a confidence
interval for a proportion can involve many time-consuming computations. Stat Trek's
Sample Size Calculator does this work for you - quickly, easily, and
error-free. In addition to constructing a confidence interval, the calculator
creates a summary report that lists key findings and documents analytical
techniques. Whenever you need to construct a confidence interval, consider
using the Sample Size Calculator. The
calculator is free. It can found in the Stat Trek
main menu under the Stat Tools tab. Or you can tap the button below.
Sample Size Calculator
Test Your Understanding
Problem 1
A major metropolitan newspaper selected a simple random sample of
1,600 readers from their list of
100,000 subscribers. They asked whether the paper should increase its
coverage of local news. Forty percent of the sample wanted more local
news. What is the 99% confidence interval for the proportion of
readers who would like more coverage of local news?
(A) 0.30 to 0.50
(B) 0.32 to 0.48
(C) 0.35 to 0.45
(D) 0.37 to 0.43
(E) 0.39 to 0.41
Solution
The answer is (D). The approach that we used to solve this
problem is valid when the following conditions are met.
- If the population size is much larger than the sample
size, we can use an "approximate" formula for the standard
deviation or the standard error. This condition is satisfied,
so we will use one of the simpler "approximate" formulas.
Since the above requirements are satisfied, we can use the following
four-step approach to construct a confidence interval.
- Identify a sample statistic. Since we are trying to estimate
a population proportion, we choose the sample proportion
(0.40) as the sample statistic.
- Select a confidence level. In this analysis, the confidence level
is defined for us in the problem. We are working with a 99%
confidence level.
- Find the margin of error. Elsewhere on this site, we show
how to compute the margin of error when the sampling
distribution is approximately normal. The key steps are
shown below.
- Find standard deviation or standard error. Since we do not
know the population proportion, we cannot compute the
standard deviation; instead, we compute the standard
error. And since the population is more than 20 times larger
than the sample, we can use the following formula
to compute the standard error (SE) of the proportion:
SE = sqrt [ p(1 - p) / n ]
SE = sqrt [ (0.4)*(0.6) / 1600 ] = 0.012
- Find critical value. The critical value is a factor used to
compute the margin of error. Because the sampling
distribution is approximately normal and the sample
size is large, we can express the critical value as a
z-score
by following these steps.
- Compute alpha (α):
α = 1 - (confidence level / 100)
α = 1 - (99/100) = 0.01
- Find the critical probability (p*):
p* = 1 - α/2 = 1 - 0.01/2 = 0.995
- Find the degrees of freedom (df):
df = n - 1 = 1600 -1 = 1599
- Find the critical value.
Since we don't know the population standard deviation, we'll express the
critical value as a t statistic. For this problem, it will
be the t statistic having 1599 degrees of freedom and
a cumulative probability equal to 0.995. Using the
t Distribution Calculator,
we find that the critical value is 2.58.
- Compute margin of error (ME):
ME = critical value * standard error
ME = 2.58 * 0.012 = 0.03
- Specify the confidence interval. The range of the confidence
interval is defined by the sample statistic +
margin of error. And the uncertainty is denoted
by the confidence level.
Therefore, the 99% confidence interval is 0.37 to 0.43. That is, the 99% confidence interval is the range
defined by 0.4 + 0.03.