NUMERICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STATISTICALLY VALID RESULTS IN FIELD TEST OF ACCEPTABILITY OF RATIONS,
Abstract
In short tests (2-3 weeks) little accuracy is sacrificed by collecting opinion data only every third or fourth day. In longer tests (2 months) no significant accuracy is lost if data are obtained only once a week. Data from the first few days may show more variations than those obtained later on in a 3-week test. Where there are only relatively few items to test, a period long enough for each menu or item to appear only 3 or 4 times will apparently give results little different from those obtained when the test components are used several times as often. If acceptability of rations for weeks or months is desired, it is necessary to test the rations for the entire period but data need be collected no more frequently than 6 or 7 days. From the statistical point of view, groups of at least 2 platoons (60-80 men) are needed to give reliable information on the relative acceptability of items in a single ration. For reasons of organization, supply, command, morale and losses from normal attrition, groups of company size (100-150 men) are more desirable. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 24, 1945
- Accession Number
- AD0658631
Entities
People
- Charles R. Henderson
- William B. Bean
- William F. Ashe
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Laboratory