estimate-sample-size

Purpose

Estimate sample/repetition requirements from detectable effect, uncertainty, power/precision target, and design structure.

Input contract

required: [effect_target, uncertainty_model, power_target, design_structure]
optional: [evidence, assumptions, prior_results]
constraints: [use named scientific objects; retain provenance and missingness; $\alpha$ = 0.05 and power = 0.8 where applicable]

Procedure

1. Validate the typed inputs and state the decision this operation must support.
2. Apply the declared operation to the named object; record intermediate values that affect interpretation.
3. Check boundary conditions and counterexamples, then emit the result with uncertainty and source links.

If the precision or power requirement is fixed, consider select-statistical-method as the next tactic.

Output contract

produces: [estimate_sample_size_result, evidence_trace, uncertainties]
delta_fields: [evidence_updates, uncertainties]

Quality gates

• Inputs are named scientific objects with compatible schemas.
• Every material result has a derivation or source reference.
• Fixed statistical criteria remain exact where applicable: $\alpha$ 0.05 and power 0.8.

Failure and counterexamples

Return a failed operation with the violated precondition when inputs are incomplete, assumptions are unsupported, or a counterexample defeats the result.

Provenance map

• intermediate: experiment-execution/sample-size-estimation