# WebAsk — Survey Sample Size

> Estimates how many responses a WebAsk survey needs and whether conclusions can already be drawn. Use when someone asks whether there is enough data, how much longer to wait, or whether collection can be stopped. Requires the hosted WebAsk MCP server (Streamable HTTP: https://mcp.webask.io/mcp/v1) and the user’s own WebAsk account/API key. Public skill files: MIT, original publisher WebAsk; hosted service plans and limits apply. English source; Russian counterpart: https://github.com/WebAskio/webask-mcp/tree/main/skills/webask-sample-oracle

- Skill: `dmitry-molchanov/webask-survey-sample-size` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dmitry-molchanov/webask-survey-sample-size`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dmitry-molchanov/webask-survey-sample-size/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: any agent that reads SKILL.md (Claude Code, Claude.ai, Cursor, Codex, Windsurf, 60+ more)
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: Dmitry Molchanov (https://skillmd.com/u/dmitry-molchanov)
- Updated: 2026-10-01
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dmitry-molchanov/webask-survey-sample-size

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# How many responses are needed

Two questions come up constantly: "can we draw conclusions yet?" and "how much
longer?". Both are settled in one conversation.

Reply to the person in the language they write in.

## What to ask

1. **How large the audience is** the conclusion is about: a hundred customers or a
   hundred thousand. A small audience needs a small sample.
2. **What decision the results serve.** "Get a feel for the mood" and "choose
   between two options" need different precision.
3. **Whether conclusions are needed per group.** Breaking down by city or segment
   multiplies the requirement.

## Estimate

`get_quiz_summary` — how much is collected, including within the needed breakdowns.

Practical anchors for the conversation:

| Goal | Order of responses needed |
|---|---|
| Get a general sense | 30–50 |
| State shares to about 10% | ~100 |
| Precision around 5% | ~400 |
| Compare two groups | 100+ in each |
| Break down by five segments | 100 per segment, so 500+ |

These are conversation anchors, not a formal calculation. If a formal estimate is
needed, say the numbers are approximate and what they depend on.

## How to answer

- **Enough collected** — say it plainly: collection can stop.
- **Not enough** — say how much more is needed and warn that conclusions may
  reverse.
- **Enough overall but not per breakdown** — the most common case. State which
  conclusions are already sound and which are not.

## What not to do

- **Do not demand representativeness** where a quick internal decision is being
  made.
- **Do not stay silent about a small sample** when plans are being built on it.
- **Do not count abandoned submissions** toward the collected volume.
