Premium
Application of the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test to seasonal phenomena may be inappropriate
Author(s) -
McCullough John M.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330680310
Subject(s) - kolmogorov–smirnov test , nonparametric statistics , statistics , mathematics , test (biology) , statistical hypothesis testing , sample (material) , point (geometry) , seasonality , econometrics , biology , physics , paleontology , geometry , thermodynamics
The Kolmogorov‐Smirnov one‐sample test is sometimes used to test seasonality in births or other annually cyclic phenomena. However, it is shown that the maximum deviation from expected (D) may differ by a factor of almost two if the cycle is initiated in different months. Thus, different results are possible from the same data. Unless there is a logical initiation point in a cycle, it is probably better to use other nonparametric statistical tests.