Overview of Distribution-Free Tests (2 of 2)

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Distribution-free tests are sometimes referred to as nonparametric tests because, strictly speaking, they do not test hypotheses about population parameters. Nonetheless, they do provide a basis for making inferences about populations and are therefore classified as inferential statistics.

Some researchers take the position that measurement on at least an interval scale is necessary for techniques such as the analysis of variance that result in inferences about means. These researchers use distribution- free tests as alternatives to the usual parametric tests. As discussed in another section, most researchers do not accept the argument that tests such as the analysis of variance can only be done with interval-level data.


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