BIO 500 Discuss the advantages of nonparametric tests -

BIO 500 Discuss the advantages of nonparametric tests

Discuss the advantages of nonparametric tests.

Nonparametric tests don’t require that your data follow the normal distribution. They’re also known as distribution-free tests and can provide benefits in certain situations. Typically, people who perform statistical hypothesis tests are more comfortable with parametric tests than nonparametric tests.

You’ve probably heard it’s best to use nonparametric tests if your data are not normally distributed—or something along these lines. That seems like an easy way to choose, but there’s more to the decision than that.

In this post, I’ll compare the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide between using the following types of statistical hypothesis tests:

Parametric analyses to assess group means
Nonparametric analyses to assess group medians

In particular, I’d like you to focus on one key reason to perform a nonparametric test that doesn’t get the attention it deserves! If you need a primer on the basics, read my hypothesis testing overview.

Related Pairs of Parametric and Nonparametric Tests

BIO 500 Discuss the advantages of nonparametric tests

Nonparametric tests are a shadow world of parametric tests. In the table below, I show linked pairs of statistical hypothesis tests.

Parametric tests of means	Nonparametric tests of medians
1-sample t-test	1-sample Sign, 1-sample Wilcoxon
2-sample t-test	Mann-Whitney test
One-Way ANOVA	Kruskal-Wallis, Mood’s median test
Factorial DOE with a factor and a blocking variable	Friedman test

Additionally, Spearman’s correlation is a nonparametric alternative to Pearson’s correlation. Use Spearman’s correlation for nonlinear, monotonic relationships and for ordinal data. For more information, read my post Spearman’s Correlation Explained!

For this topic, it’s crucial you understand the concept of robust statistical analyses. For more information, read my post, What are Robust Statistics?

Advantages of Parametric Tests

Advantage 1: Parametric tests can provide trustworthy results with distributions that are skewed and nonnormal

Many people aren’t aware of this fact, but parametric analyses can produce reliable results even when your continuous data are nonnormally distributed. You just have to be sure that your sample size meets the requirements for each analysis in the table below. Simulation studies have identified these requirements. Read here for more information about these studies.

Parametric analyses	Sample size requirements for nonnormal data
1-sample t-test	Greater than 20
2-sample t-test	Each group should have more than 15 observations
One-Way ANOVA	For 2-9 groups, each group should have more than 15 observations For 10-12 groups, each group should have more than 20 observations

You can use these parametric tests with nonnormally distributed data thanks to the central limit theorem. For more information about it, read my post: Central Limit Theorem Explained.

Advantage 2: Parametric tests can provide trustworthy results when the groups have different amounts of variability

It’s true that nonparametric tests don’t require data that are normally distributed. However, nonparametric tests have the disadvantage of an additional requirement that can be very hard to satisfy. The groups in a nonparametric analysis typically must all have the same variability (dispersion). Nonparametric analyses might not provide accurate results when variability differs between groups.

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I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course!

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Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts.

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Important information on Writing a Discussion Question

Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references)
There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article.
Include in-text citations in your response
Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information
Follow APA-7th edition
Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor

A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week.
Each response needs at least ONE reference with citations—best if it is a peer reviewed journal article
Each response needs to be at least 75 words in length (does not include your list of references)
Responses need to be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Responses of “I agree” or “great post” does not count for the word count.
Follow APA 7th edition
Points will be deducted if the above is not followed
Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points.
Here are some helpful links
Student paper example
Citing Sources
The Writing Center is a great resource