The Use of Confidence or Fiducial Limits Illustrated in the Case of the Binomial

Abstract

If x individuals in a random sample of n possess a certain character we may determine confidence limits, p 1 and p 2, for the proportion p possessing the character in the sampled population, such that in repeated samples the prediction that p 1 < p < p 2 is correct in a specified % of the cases. This % is called the confidence coefficient. Charts are given to determine confidence limits and to plan the size of sample necessary to provide a desired degree of accuracy in estimation.