Non-parametric Tests

Most of the tests that we study in this website are based on some distribution. These are called parametric tests. Parametric tests require that certain assumptions are satisfied. We now look at some tests that are not linked to a particular distribution. These non-parametric tests are usually easier to apply since fewer assumptions need to be satisfied.

Topics

References

Zar. J. H. (2010) Biostatistical analysis 5th Ed. Pearson

Stricker, D. (2016) Brightstat nonparametric tests
https://secure.brightstat.com/index.php?p=c&d=1&c=2

Howell, D. C. (2010) Statistical methods for psychology (7th ed.). Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
https://labs.la.utexas.edu/gilden/files/2016/05/Statistics-Text.pdf

33 thoughts on “Non-parametric Tests”

  1. Charles,
    I hope all is well. Thanks for always helping me out! I need your help again please.

    I want to make sure I am choosing the right statistical test.
    I am working with 7 semesters of exams scores for a particular course.
    Each semester the course ran with many sections. However, the students no matter what section they were in, not matter which teacher, they were given the same exams.

    Let A = exam average (two exams were given within the semester and they were averaged)
    Let B = final exam score (the course ends with a final)

    Overall for each semester, I want to compare A to B to see if there is a significant difference is found. Which non-parametric test should I use? What should my level of significance be?
    Which test should I use to see if there is a correlation between A and B for each of the semesters?

    I tested semester 1 (A & B) through semester 7 (A & B) and found that the data sets for all is no normal. I used the Shapiro Wilks test (all p<.01).

    Thank you!!!

    Reply
  2. Charles,

    Thanks so much for the valuable feedback you always give. Can you verify I am will approaching analyzing this study in the right manner.

    I have exam scores that are all not normally distributed.
    Set A (N=84) ; Set B (N=76) ; Set C (N=162) ; Set D (N=137)
    I used the Shapiro Wilk’s test in SPSS and obtained the following p values respectively (.56, .042, .000, .001).
    I want to compare the means in Set A to Set B; Set A to Set C and Set A to Set D
    Should I use the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test? Should I used also a Bonferroni correction and use alpha = .05/3 = .017 as the significance level?
    Thanks

    Reply
  3. Dear Charles,
    thank you for your appreciated effort and may I ask you a question, what are the tests i should perform before going forward with Mann Kendall test and other tests, most papers i read were applied trend tests forward without check any assumption in addition how can i apply parametric and non-parametric tests at the same data, it really make me confused.

    thanks a lot

    Reply
  4. hi charles! Do me a favor.
    i have some questions….
    now covid 19 vaccines have some side effect. i want to compare vaccine brands through severe side effect incidence rate(ex, death rate)
    In england,
    England(2021-05-21) Pfizer AZ
    vaccination 21600000 32900000
    death 374 786
    in case, what testing is needed for H0 : Pfizer death rate = AZ death rate?

    Reply
    • There are a number of such books. Here is one:
      Gibbons, J. D. and Chakraborti (2011) Non-parametric statistical inference, 5th edition. CRC Press
      Charles

      Reply
  5. Hi Charles,

    I am trying to figure out how to apply a non-parametric method analog to Nested ANOVA. My data is not normally distributed even after transformed, still no normal. Please if you can give me any advise?

    Reply
  6. Hi, I am trying to figure out how to arrange 8 sets of data, with age ranges in a non-parametric method using 2.5 and 97.5 % cut offs. Please if you can give me some directions.

    Reply
    • Hello Barbara,
      I don’t completely understand what you are looking for or which non-parametric test you are looking to apply. Can you explain in a little more detail.
      Charles

      Reply
  7. Hi Charles
    How do I perform non-parametric tests in excel using the real statistics add in? Ctrl-m isn’t working to take me there.

    Reply
    • Hello Paula,
      If Ctrl/m is not working then it is likely that the Real Statistics software has not been installed. What do you see when you enter the formula =VER() in any cell?
      Charles

      Reply
  8. Sir,
    How can I use non parametric methods using data analysis tool in Excel?
    Thanking you,
    Rajesh Tailor

    Reply
    • Rajesh,
      If you press Ctrl-m and select the T Test and Non-parametric equivalents option you can access the Mann-Whitney test for two independent samples and the Wilcoxon tests for one sample and paired samples.
      Charles

      Reply

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