As sample size goes up, what tends to happen to 95% confidence intervals?
As sample size goes up, what tends to happen to 95% confidence intervals? Options: (a) They become more precise (b) They become more narrow (c) They become wider (d) Both a and b ✅ Correct Option: (d) Both a and b Explanation (200+ words): As sample size increases, the standard error decreases, which directly reduces the margin of error used in constructing confidence intervals. Because of this reduction, 95% confidence intervals become narrower and more precise when sample size increases. Precision refers to how closely an estimate reflects the true population parameter. Larger samples provide more information about the population, reducing uncertainty. Therefore, the confidence interval becomes tighter around the estimated value. This relationship between sample size and confidence interval width is a core principle of statistics. Researchers often increase sample size to improve estimate accuracy. Hence, both statements—more precise and more narrow—are correct, making option (d) the best answer. 10 PPSC-Related Facts: 1. Larger samples reduce standard error 2. Narrower intervals = more precision 3. Precision improves with sample size 4. CI width inversely related to √n 5. Common exam concept 6. Applies to all confidence levels 7. Supports better estimation 8. Used in research design 9. Important in hypothesis testing 10. Central inferential principle