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Choosing Between Parametric and Nonparametric Tests
Author(s) -
HARWELL MICHAEL R.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of counseling and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.805
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1556-6676
pISSN - 0748-9633
DOI - 10.1002/j.1556-6676.1988.tb02007.x
Subject(s) - nonparametric statistics , parametric statistics , statistical hypothesis testing , test (biology) , econometrics , computer science , semiparametric regression , statistics , mathematics , paleontology , biology
A fundamental analysis decision confronting researchers in psychology and education is the choice between parametric and nonparametric tests. Despite the statistical and substantive implications of this important decision, many researchers unerringly employ parametric tests and thus ignore the advantages of their nonparametric counterparts. One justification for this behavior has been the absence of guidelines for choosing between these procedures. A second has been the lack of a comprehensive nonparametric test that is computationally manageable. In this article, the author discusses several statistical and substantive criteria that can be used to choose between parametric and nonparametric tests. A non‐parametric test capable of testing a number of statistical hypotheses using existing computer packages is also presented. Recommendations are made encouraging researchers to routinely use nonparametric tests in their data analytic work.