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A Distinction Between Exact and Approximate Nonparametric Methods

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

William L. Sawrey
William L. Sawrey*
Affiliation:
University of Colorado Medical Center
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Abstract

Nonparametric tests are discussed in relation to parametric tests. A distinction is made between two types of nonparametric tests. One type leads to an exact significance level, the other to an approximate significance level. The failure to distinguish between these two types has led to confusion and error. Examples are cited.

Information

Type
Original Paper
Information
Psychometrika , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , June 1958 , pp. 171 - 177
Copyright
Copyright © 1958 The Psychometric Society

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Footnotes

*

Based on a paper presented at the annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1957

†

The author is indebted to Dr. John J. Conger for his many suggestions that greatly improved the exposition of this manuscript.

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