Education Technology


Some Nonparametric Tests

Activity Overview

Students explore nonparametric tests for dependent and independent data samples.

Before the Activity

  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 133 - 142 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:

    Sign Test for Two Dependent Samples:

  • Enter data for two dependent samples
  • Use the binomial cumulative distribution function to determine the p-value
  • Test the null hypothesis based on the p-value


  • Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test for Two Dependent Samples:
  • Enter the blood pressure data of subjects before and after medication as lists
  • Sort the absolute values of the differences and put the ranks in another list
  • Calculate the p-value
  • Evaluate the hypothesis


  • Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney Test for Two Independent Samples:
  • Enter the test scores of students taught using two methods as lists
  • Create a list to insert the augment values
  • Sort the values and insert ranks
  • Determine the average rank values
  • Find the number of ways of getting the ranks
  • Determine the p-value and evaluate the null hypothesis


  • Use normal approximation to make the calculations easy
  • Determine the mean and standard deviation
  • Calculate the z-score and the p-value


  • Randomization Test for Two Independent Samples:
  • Use the program RAN2IND to find the difference between the means of the two samples
  • Plot a histogram of all the differences
  • Examine the distribution and evaluate the null hypothesis
  • After the Activity

    Review student results:

  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary