Biochemia Medica, Vol. 20 No. 1, 2010.
Ostalo
Comparing groups for statistical differences: how to choose the right statistical test?
Marius Marusteri
; Medical Informatics and Biostatistics Department, Academical Management & European Integration Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Targu Mures, Romania
Vladimir Bacarea
; Research Methodology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Targu Mures, Romania
Sažetak
Choosing the right statistical test may at times, be a very challenging task for a beginner in the field of biostatistics.
This article will present a step by step guide about the test selection process used to compare two or more groups for statistical differences. We will need to know, for example, the type (nominal, ordinal, interval/ratio) of data we have, how the data are organized, how many sample/groups we have to deal with and if they are paired or unpaired. Also, we have to ask ourselves if the data are drawn from a Gaussian on non-Gaussian population. A key question is, if the proper conditions are met, should a one-tailed test or two-tailed test be used, the latter typically being the most powerful choice.
The appropriate approach is presented in a Q/A (Question/Answer) manner to provide to the user an easier understanding of the basic concepts necessary to fulfill this task. Some of the necessary fundamental concepts are: statistical inference, statistical hypothesis tests, the steps required to apply a statistical test, parametric versus nonparametric tests, one tailed versus two tailed tests etc.
In the final part of the article, a test selection algorithm will be proposed, based on a proper statistical decision-tree for the statistical comparison of one, two or more groups, for the purpose of demonstrating the practical application of the fundamental concepts.
Some much disputed concepts will remain to be discussed in other future articles, such as outliers and their influence in statistical analysis, the impact of missing data and so on.
Ključne riječi
statistical inference; statistical hypothesis testing; statistical tests selection
Hrčak ID:
47847
URI
Datum izdavanja:
1.2.2010.
Posjeta: 14.919 *