Considerations for size of telescope survey

[BOAS]

Hello,

I am writing a (mock) proposal for gaining some observation time on a telescope. One part that I am having a hard time with is, what considerations are made when deciding how large a field to survey?

Are astronomers primarily constrained by the amount of time they are likely to be allocated, or are there some statistical arguments that go into how large a section of the sky must be observed?

I would love to have a conversation here about the factors that come into play so that I can make a reasoned argument for the size of the survey I wish to make.

Thanks!

 

[Drakkith]

I assume the size of the field depends on what you're surveying for. Can you give us any more info?

 

[BOAS]

I assume the size of the field depends on what you're surveying for. Can you give us any more info?

Yes, I am trying to constrain the number of galaxies at redshift 7 with luminosities greater than some value.