How many ticks are examined? - briefly
The analysis inspected roughly 1,200 ticks, a sample size commonly used in epidemiological surveys. This number provides sufficient statistical power to detect prevalence patterns across regions.
How many ticks are examined? - in detail
The number of ticks inspected in a study depends on the research objective, sampling design, and statistical power requirements.
For prevalence surveys, investigators usually aim for a sample that yields a confidence interval of ±5 % at the 95 % level. Assuming an expected infection rate of 10 %, the required sample size is approximately 138 ticks; higher or lower prevalence estimates adjust the figure proportionally.
When assessing seasonal dynamics, researchers often collect ticks weekly or bi‑weekly throughout the activity period. A typical protocol involves gathering 30–50 specimens per site per collection event, resulting in several hundred ticks over a full season.
Experimental trials that test acaricide efficacy or pathogen transmission frequently use controlled groups of 20–30 ticks per treatment, with replicates to ensure reliability. Consequently, total examined counts may range from 60 to 120 individuals per experiment.
Large‑scale ecological studies that map tick distribution across regions may employ stratified random sampling. Sample sizes per stratum are calculated to represent habitat heterogeneity, often leading to totals of 500–1,000 ticks or more.
Key factors influencing the final count include:
- Desired precision of prevalence estimates
- Expected infection or infestation rates
- Variability among geographic or temporal strata
- Resource constraints such as labor and laboratory capacity
Selecting an appropriate sample size ensures that the findings are statistically robust while remaining feasible for the research team.