Problems associated with ranking a large number of objects are discussed. It is recommended that only a subset of the most preferred objects be ranked by each judge. A test statistic for testing the hypothesis of no difference in preference among the objects is developed for the recommended procedure. (Author/JKS)

A statistical technique is proposed for comparing an empirically obtained matrix of the perceived similarity of paired stimuli against a set of distinctive features that supposedly characterize the stimuli on which the matrix is based. The statistical development of the technique and an example are presented. (Author/JKS)

Extensions of the Kruskal-Wallis procedure for a factorial design are examined under various degrees and kinds of nonnullity. It was found that the distributions of these test statistics are a function of effects other than those being tested, except under the completely null situation. Their use is discouraged. (Author/JKS)

Fisher's exact probability test is severely conservative when interpreted with reference to conventional alpha levels due to the discontinuity of the sampling distribution for 2 x 2 tables. An adjustment of the cell frequencies is proposed that results in a correction for continuity with appropriate alpha protection and increased power. (Author)

Illustrates a simple nonparametric alternative that can be used to test a hypothesis that two proximity matrices on the same set of variables or objects reflect a similar pattern of high and low entries. (RC)

Monte Carlo techniques were used to compare the power of Wilcoxon's rank-sum test to the power of the two independent means t test for situations in which samples were drawn from (1) uniform, (2) Laplace, (3) half-normal, (4) exponential, (5) mixed-normal, and (6) mixed-uniform distributions. (Author/JKS)

New tests for comparing the strength of association between a variable and each of two potential predictor variables are proposed and compared to an existing test in a simulation study. Recommendations for use are made. (Author/JKS)

The paper presents a unified approach to some of the more popular nonparametric methods in current use, providing the reader with new insights by exhibiting relationships to relevant population parameters. (Author/LMO)

An alternative to Fisher's exact test and the chi-square test for homogeneity in two-by-two tables is developed. The method provides for Type I error rates which are closer to the stated alpha level than either of the alternatives. (JKS)

Given a set of dichotomously scored items, ordering theory attempts to identify a hierarchy among those items. A graphic representation is presented for an empirically obtained hierarchy and a testing procedure to evaluate hypothesized hierarchical relationships. (Author/JKS)

Using computer simulation, parametric analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was compared to ANCOVA with data transformed using ranks, in terms of proportion of Type I errors and statistical power. Results indicated that parametric ANCOVA was robust to violations of either normality or homoscedasticity, but practiced significant power differences favored…

A detailed investigation is provided of Stout's statistical procedure (the computer program DIMTEST) for testing the hypothesis that an essentially unidimensional latent trait model fits observed binary item response data from a psychological test. Three refinements achieve greater power. The revised approach is validated using real data sets.…