Design Effect Calculator

Calculate the design effect (DEFF) for cluster sampling and complex survey designs to determine effective sample size.

Calculation Method

0 (independent)0.5 (highly clustered)

Typical ICC Values:

Design Effect (DEFF)

1.9500

Moderate loss of efficiency

Sample Size Inflation

1.95x

Cluster Size

20

ICC

0.05

Interpretation:

To achieve the same precision as a simple random sample, you need approximately 1.9500 times as many observations.

What is Design Effect?

The design effect (DEFF) measures the loss in efficiency from using a complex sampling design instead of simple random sampling. A DEFF greater than 1 indicates the complex design requires more observations to achieve the same precision. It is commonly used in cluster sampling, stratified sampling, and multi-stage designs.

Formula for Cluster Sampling

DEFF = 1 + (m - 1) × ICC

Where m is the average cluster size and ICC is the intraclass correlation coefficient.