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Writer's pictureDavid Jones

When, Why and How to Use Kruskal-Wallis Test Instead Of ANOVA


kruskal wallis test

Introduction


The Kruskal-Wallis test, helpful with SPSS help, a particular one-way analysis of performing the variance test, introduced by two statisticians named Kruskal and Wallis upon whom it is named in year 1952. This is basically kind of non-parametric method of testing if the samples are originally taken from the similar category of distribution from where they relate to or not. The utilisation of the Kruskal-Wallis test in SPSS program is applicable for understanding if the results of the activity performances when calculated on the continuous counting scale having 0-100 with different levels based on the test. There is another method that is an alternative technique to the Kruskal-Wallis, which is the One-Way ANOVA; but it is considered by expert researchers and statisticians that the Kruskal-Wallis test is better than the One-Way ANOVA technique. The Analysis of Variance or ANOVA is such type of statistical technique that is mostly applied for testing the difference in the means of the variances which are more than one. The outcome of this process comes in two explanatory categories of variables and that is why it is also called as two-way method of analysis.

When, why and how to use Kruskal-Wallis test instead of ANOVA

The Kruskal-Wallis test is based on the rank and non-parametric measuring test that is applied to determine the presence of any kind of statistical significance of differences among two or more than two independent variable groups based upon ordinal or continuous the type of dependent variable. To be taken as a pattern of Kruskal-Wallis Test, it is said to be seen that the Kruskal-Wallis test is understandable related to the matter of evaluating the exam performances of the students. This evaluation can measure the performances calculated on a continuous measuring scale of 0-100 and it is not dependent on the varied level of anxiety of the students included in this test. In this regard, the “exam performances of students” is the dependent variable in this test and the independent variable is their “anxiety level” in the test. While digging into the Kruskal-Wallis test done in the SPSS software for data analysis, it can interpret the factor analysis of variables then submits the result that will be attained from the test. When talking about a non-parametric method or technique, it basically signifies such a method where the tests don’t have the nature to assume the data that is gained from a specific distribution.

When the Kruskal-Wallis test is used

The Kruskal–Wallis test has its most common utilisation in the assignments when the performer has two of the variables - one is the nominal variable and the other is the measurement variable. This is done along with an experiment that is usually applied for doing the analysis through the One-Way ANOVA method, but when found that this will not suit the measurement variable ad is not meeting the normality assumptions of the One-Way ANOVA method, the Kruskal–Wallis test is ten applied in such cases. It is utilised in SPSS software for analysing the data that is collected when the analysis is done with two of the quantitative variables from the population.

Why the Kruskal-Wallis test is used

The prime reason is that it is capable of determining; the Kruskal-Wallis test process is mainly applied for comparing the groups which could be a least three or more than that as being a dependent variable and measures on at least an ordinal level. For instance: there can be seen the usage of the Kruskal-Wallis test regarding identifying the employee attitudes for the payment they are getting. This test also determines that, whether the significant group medians of two or more will be different. Like most of the other statistical tests, to calculate the statistical test then compare the result with the distribution of the cut-off point. Here, the dependent variable is the “payment differentiation attitude” with the independent variable is the “job designation”. The “payment differentiation attitude” is calculated on a 5-pointed scale ranging from "strongly agreeing" to "strongly disagreeing" and the “job designation” consisted of three different independent groups – the initial stage, middle management, and decision making room. The results are in anxiety level is taken to have three varied independent groups - low, medium, and high.

How the Kruskal-Wallis test is used

The process of running the Kruskal-Wallis test includes a set of few steps to analyse the raw input data by using the Kruskal-Wallis test in SPSS statistical data analysis software.

  • First open SPSS program > move towards Analyse option > goes to the Non-parametric Tests option > then move to Legacy Dialogs option > then press K Independent Samples option.

  • The "Tests for Several Independent Samples" dialogue window will appear > tick the “Kruskal-Wallis H” checkbox by selecting it to make the Kruskal-Wallis test run on the variables that are transferred to the next stage.

  • Transfer all dependent variable in the “Test Variable List” section and all independent variables in the “Grouping Variable” section.

  • Press the “Define range” button which opens the "Several Independent Samples: Define Range" window box.

  • Next enter "1" in the “Minimum box” section and "3" in the area of “Maximum box”. These values represent the codes ranges of the independent variable groups.

  • Next press the “Continue” switch which will take back to the "Tests for Several Independent Samples" window box, with a fulfilled “Grouping Variable” dialogue box.

  • After that, go to the “Options” button and click on it to present the "Several Independent Sample Options" window.

  • Next choose the “Descriptive” checkbox, in case it has descriptives as requirements and/or the “Quartiles” checkbox, if the quartiles and medians are the essentials.

  • After that click on the “Continue” switch to bring back the "Tests for Several Independent Samples" window again.

  • The final step is clicking the “OK” button to produce the final results.

Kruskal wallis test

Conclusion

While digging into the Kruskal-Wallis test done in the SPSS data analysis, it can interpret the factor analysis of variables then submits the result that will be attained from the test. The Kruskal–Wallis test has its most common utilisation in the assignments when the performer has two of the variables - one is the nominal variable and the other is the measurement variable. The prime reason is that it is capable of determining; if there exists any type of significantly statistical variations of the two or more than two groups of independent variables on the continuous or any ordinal dependent variable or not. The prime reason is that it is capable of determining; the Kruskal-Wallis test process is mainly applied for comparing the groups which could be a least three or more than that as being a dependent variable and measures on at least an ordinal level. The process of running the Kruskal-Wallis test includes a set of few steps to analyse the raw input data by using the Kruskal-Wallis test in SPSS statistical data analysis software.

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