Nonparametric in SPSS 19

[Usable Knowledge]

My understanding is that nonparametric tests are to be used with nominal and ordinal data.  Yet SPSS's new Nonparametric choice on the "Analyze" menu seems to only accept scale data.  Anyone know what's up with that? Are we supposed to just redefine our ordinal data to scale level or am I missing something.  Using the 'Legacy' choice I can play with ordinal data without any problems.

Advice?

Thanks.

Eric

[hidden email]

[Martha Hewett]

I don't think most (any?) of the tests would make sense with nominal data.  A lot of non-par procedures are based on the assumption that the variable is continuous, though typically not normal.  A lot of the tests create ordinal ranks, but the original variable is continuous.  People do use them for ordinal data and there might even be some where that doesn't violate (or saliently violate) the test's assumptions.  I guess you would have to declare your variable as scale.  It doesn't make sense you can run a t test on an ordinal var in SPSS but not a non-par test. Go figure.

Martha Hewett  

Director of Research | 612.335.5865

Center for Energy and Environment

212 Third Avenue North, Suite 560 | Minneapolis, MN 55401

(cell) 612.839.2358 | (fax) 612.335.5888 | www.mncee.org

From:        ericgraig <[hidden email]>
To:        [hidden email]
Date:        12/06/2011 06:46 PM
Subject:        Nonparametric in SPSS 19
Sent by:        "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <[hidden email]>

---

My understanding is that nonparametric tests are to be used with nominal and
ordinal data.  Yet SPSS's new Nonparametric choice on the "Analyze" menu
seems to only accept scale data.  Anyone know what's up with that? Are we
supposed to just redefine our ordinal data to scale level or am I missing
something.  Using the 'Legacy' choice I can play with ordinal data without
any problems.

Advice?

Thanks.

Eric

[hidden email]

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