A computer program is described which performs the Bowker test of symmetry in a square contingency table, the Light-Margolin and Pearson tests for homogeneity in nonorder contingency tables, the Kruskal-Wallis test for ordered dependent variables, and the Kandall and Maxwell tests for monotonic trends in ranks. (Author)

DETECT is a nonparametric, conditional covariance-based procedure to identify dimensional structure and the degree of multidimensionality of test data. The ability composite or conditional score used to estimate conditional covariance plays a significant role in the performance of DETECT. The number correct score of all items in the test (T) and…

The Delphi method is a means of structuring group communication process so that a group of experts can gather information or forecast future problems effectively. A primary objective of a Delphi study is to obtain consensual and consistent opinions from a group of experts in two or more successive rounds on a given research subject. Consensus and…

Coefficients of correlation and concordance are defined for profiles consisting of ensembles of partially ordered sets, by extending Kendall's rank order correlation (tau) and Kendall's coefficient of concordance (W) to cases where subjects are asked to rank order, or to choose among, the given alternatives in multiple sets of items. (Author/PN)

Lambda and kappa coefficients of nominal scale association are developed for research hypotheses that involve predictions of modality, agreement, or some theoretically specified configuration. The proposed new coefficient is offered as an alternative to Goodman and Kruskal's lambda. (Author/CTM)

Six different algorithms to generate widely different non-normal distributions are reviewed. These algorithms are compared in terms of speed, simplicity, and generality of the technique. The advantages and disadvantages of using these algorithms are briefly discussed. (Author)

Post hoc multiple comparison procedures useful in assessing differences in population variability are formulated for three nonparametric alternatives to the parametric Bartlett test. The three nonparametric tests are the generalized Puri K-sample extensions of the Siegel-Tukey, mood, and Klotz tests. (Author/CTM)

DIMTEST is a nonparametric statistical test procedure for assessing unidimensionality of binary item response data that uses the T-statistic of W. F. Stout (1987). This study investigates the performance of the T-statistic with respect to different shapes of ability distributions and confirms its nonparametric nature. (SLD)

Describes the number needed to treat (NNT) as an indicator of a program's efficacy. L'Abbe plots compare several programs in terms of the event rates that constitute the NNTs. Explains how an evaluator may extend the NNT concept by calculating and plotting event rates on a continuous ordinal basis. (SLD)

Through simulation, showed that a multivariate test of interactions for aligned ranks in a split-plot design controlled Type I error rates for nonnormal data with nonspherical covariance structures. This method also performed well in the presence of a strong repeated measures main effect and demonstrated more statistical power than parametric…

Uses computer simulation to study the effects on parametric and nonparametric statistical tests when assumptions of normality and homogeneity of variance are violated. Results reveal that nonparametric methods are not always acceptable substitutes for parametric methods in research studies when parametric assumptions are not satisfied. (SLD)

In the signal detection paradigm, the non-parametric index of sensitivity A', as first introduced by Pollack and Norman (1964), is a popular alternative to the more traditional d' measure of sensitivity. Smith (1995) clarified a confusion about the interpretation of A' in relation to the area beneath proper receiver operating characteristic (ROC)…

This paper investigates how students' collegiate athletic participation affects their subsequent labor market success. By using newly developed techniques in nonparametric regression, it shows that on average former college athletes earn a wage premium. However, the premium is not uniform, but skewed so that more than half the athletes actually…