Statistical Testing - The Sign Test Flashcards
What is Statistical Testing
Provides a way of determining whether hypotheses should be accepted or rejected
By using a statistical test we can find out whether differences or relationships between variables are significant
What is the Sign Test
A statistical test used to analyse the difference in scores between related items
Data should be nominal or better
What are the Conditions needed to use the Sign Test
Looking for a difference rather than an association
Used a repeated measures design
Data that is organised into categories (nominal data)
What is Probability
The likelihood that certain events will occur
The Critical Value
When the statistical test has been calculated, the researcher is left with the Calculated Value
This needs to be compared with the Critical Value to decide whether the result is significant or not
What conditions are needed to use the Table of Critical Values
The significance level (generally 0.05% or 5%)
The number of participants in the investigation
Whether the hypothesis is directional or non-directional
Simple steps for the Sign Test
1) Convert to Nominal Data
2) Add up pluses, Add up minuses
3) S = Less frequent sign
4) Compare calculated value of S with Critical value
If S ≤ Critical Value, the difference is significant