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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