Optical Fractionator workflow >
7. Define SRS grid layout
Overview
In this step, the SRS (systematic random sampling) grid size defines how close your counting frames are to each other.
- Smaller grid: You visit more sites within the traced contour, and count more cells or other objects.
- Larger grid: You count objects at fewer sites, but you may increase your coefficient of error and obtain a less-precise estimate.
See Designing a Pilot Study for recommendations on determining the grid size. For the pilot study, we recommend setting the grid size based on 10 approximate sampling sites as a starting point.
Also see Determining Sampling Precision.
Procedure
Define SRS grid layout
Choose one of the following ways to define the SRS grid layout:
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Manually enter the grid size:
- Type in values (µm) for X and Y grid spacing.
- Click Display Changes.
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Enter a percentage of the region of interest that you want to sample:
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Type the percent to sample in the Percentage box.
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Click Display Changes
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Determine grid size based on number of sampling sites:
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Enter the desired number of sites in the Approximate Sites box.
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Click Estimate Grid Size.
This option is ideal if you don’t know your desired X and Y grid spacing. For instance, if you want to count a mean of 10 sites based on the current representative section, set the grid size to include approximately 10 counting frames in the region of interest.
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Grid size and counting frame size remain consistent throughout all of the sections for a given region of interest. The number of sites, however, may change because the grid is applied randomly every time you start a new probe run. Click Display Changes or Estimate Grid Size repeatedly to see how the grid is applied differently every time.
Round to increments of: We recommend that you check the box to round the values to 1 micron or larger to make it easier to remember and document as needed.
Undo my changes: Click to remove your input for this step and revert to the default values.