Nonparametric Statistics For Applied Research

​​Non-parametric methods are widely used for studying populations that take on a ranked order (such as movie reviews receiving one to four stars). The use of non-parametric methods may be necessary when data have a ranking but no clear numerical interpretation, such as when assessing preferences. In terms of levels of measurement, non-parametric methods result in "ordinal" data. As non-parametric methods make fewer assumptions, their applicability is much wider than the corresponding parametric methods. In particular, they may be applied in situations where less is known about the application in question. Also, due to the reliance on fewer assumptions, non-parametric methods are more robust. Non-parametric methods have many popular applications, and are widely used in research in the fields of the behavioral sciences and biomedicine. This is a textbook on non-parametric statistics for applied research. The authors propose to use a realistic yet mostly fictional situation and series of dialogues to illustrate in detail the statistical processes required to complete data analysis. This book draws on a readers existing elementary knowledge of statistical analyses to broaden his/her research capabilities. The material within the book is covered in such a way that someone with a very limited knowledge of statistics would be able to read and understand the concepts detailed in the text. The “real world” scenario to be presented involves a multidisciplinary team of behavioral, medical, crime analysis, and policy analysis professionals work together to answer specific empirical questions regarding real-world applied problems. The reader is introduced to the team and the data set, and through the course of the text follows the team as they progress through the decision making process of narrowing the data and the research questions to answer the applied problem. In this way, abstract statistical concepts are translated into concrete and specific language. This text uses one data set from which all examples are taken. This is radically different from other statistics books which provide a varied array of examples and data sets. Using only one data set facilitates reader-directed teaching and learning by providing multiple research questions which are integrated rather than using disparate examples and completely unrelated research questions and data.

While preserving the clear, accessible style of previous editions, Applied Nonparametric Statistical Methods, Fourth Edition reflects the latest developments in computer-intensive methods that deal with intractable analytical problems and unwieldy data sets. Reorganized and with additional material, this edition begins with a brief summary of some

A practical and understandable approach to nonparametric statistics for researchers across diverse areas of study As the importance of nonparametric methods in modern statistics continues to grow, these techniques are being increasingly applied to experimental designs across various fields of study. However, researchers are not always properly equipped with the knowledge to correctly apply these methods. Nonparametric Statistics for Non-Statisticians: A Step-by-Step Approach fills a void in the current literature by addressing nonparametric statistics in a manner that is easily accessible for readers with a background in the social, behavioral, biological, and physical sciences. Each chapter follows the same comprehensive format, beginning with a general introduction to the particular topic and a list of main learning objectives. A nonparametric procedure is then presented and accompanied by context-based examples that are outlined in a step-by-step fashion. Next, SPSS® screen captures are used to demonstrate how to perform and recognize the steps in the various procedures. Finally, the authors identify and briefly describe actual examples of corresponding nonparametric tests from diverse fields. Using this organized structure, the book outlines essential skills for the application of nonparametric statistical methods, including how to: Test data for normality and randomness Use the Wilcoxon signed rank test to compare two related samples Apply the Mann-Whitney U test to compare two unrelated samples Compare more than two related samples using the Friedman test Employ the Kruskal-Wallis H test to compare more than two unrelated samples Compare variables of ordinal or dichotomous scales Test for nominal scale data A detailed appendix provides guidance on inputting and analyzing the presented data using SPSS®, and supplemental tables of critical values are provided. In addition, the book's FTP site houses supplemental data sets and solutions for further practice. Extensively classroom tested, Nonparametric Statistics for Non-Statisticians is an ideal book for courses on nonparametric statistics at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also an excellent reference for professionals and researchers in the social, behavioral, and health sciences who seek a review of nonparametric methods and relevant applications.

This highly-regarded text serves as a quick reference book which offers clear, concise instructions on how and when to use the most popular nonparametric procedures. This edition features some procedures that have withstood the test of time and are now used by many practitioners, such as the Fisher Exact Test for two-by-two contingency tables, the Mantel-Haenszel Test for combining several contingency tables, the Kaplan-Meier estimates of the survival curve, the Jonckheere-Terpstra Test and the Page Test for ordered alternatives, and a discussion of the bootstrap method.

Nonparametric statistics has probably become the leading methodology for researchers performing data analysis. It is nevertheless true that, whereas these methods have already proved highly effective in other applied areas of knowledge such as biostatistics or social sciences, nonparametric analyses in reliability currently form an interesting area of study that has not yet been fully explored. Applied Nonparametric Statistics in Reliability is focused on the use of modern statistical methods for the estimation of dependability measures of reliability systems that operate under different conditions. The scope of the book includes: smooth estimation of the reliability function and hazard rate of non-repairable systems; study of stochastic processes for modelling the time evolution of systems when imperfect repairs are performed; nonparametric analysis of discrete and continuous time semi-Markov processes; isotonic regression analysis of the structure function of a reliability system, and lifetime regression analysis. Besides the explanation of the mathematical background, several numerical computations or simulations are presented as illustrative examples. The corresponding computer-based methods have been implemented using R and MATLAB®. A concrete modelling scheme is chosen for each practical situation and, in consequence, a nonparametric inference procedure is conducted. Applied Nonparametric Statistics in Reliability will serve the practical needs of scientists (statisticians and engineers) working on applied reliability subjects.

This book covers the most commonly used nonparametric statistical techniques by emphasizing applications rather than theory. Exercises and examples are drawn from various disciplines including agriculture, biology, sociology, education, psychology, medicine, business, geology, and anthropology. The applications of techniques are presented in a step-by-step format that is repeated for all illustrative examples. Concepts are reinforced with many references to statistical literature to show the relevance to real-world problems. Chapters contain references of available computer programs and software packages that apply to methods presented in the book.

A thorough and definitive book that fully addresses traditional and modern-day topics of nonparametric statistics This book presents a practical approach to nonparametric statistical analysis and provides comprehensive coverage of both established and newly developed methods. With the use of MATLAB, the authors present information on theorems and rank tests in an applied fashion, with an emphasis on modern methods in regression and curve fitting, bootstrap confidence intervals, splines, wavelets, empirical likelihood, and goodness-of-fit testing. Nonparametric Statistics with Applications to Science and Engineering begins with succinct coverage of basic results for order statistics, methods of categorical data analysis, nonparametric regression, and curve fitting methods. The authors then focus on nonparametric procedures that are becoming more relevant to engineering researchers and practitioners. The important fundamental materials needed to effectively learn and apply the discussed methods are also provided throughout the book. Complete with exercise sets, chapter reviews, and a related Web site that features downloadable MATLAB applications, this book is an essential textbook for graduate courses in engineering and the physical sciences and also serves as a valuable reference for researchers who seek a more comprehensive understanding of modern nonparametric statistical methods.

Offering an alternative to traditional statistical procedures which are based on least squares fitting, the authors cover such topics as one and two sample location models, linear models, and multivariate models. Both theory and applications are examined.