Using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test in Research
This easy tutorial will show you How to Run the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test in SPSS, and how to interpret the result.
Wilcoxon signed-rank test, a rank test used in nonparametric statistics can be considered as a backup for t-test where the independent variable is binary but the dependent variable is not normally distributed. (Source)
To clarify, we use the Wilcoxon test to compare two sets of scores that come from the same participants but we should measure in two different periods or before and after some event for example, before and after the training.
Assumptions of the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test
When performing the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test procedure the following assumptions are required
- continuous or ordinal (Likert scale) dependent variable
- categorical (two related groups) independent variable
An Example: the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test
This guide will explain, step by step, how to run the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test in SPSS statistical software by using an example.
We collected data for students’ English test scores before and after training. Therefore, we have one dependent variable English test score and one categorical independent variable with two groups (before and after training).
Null hypothesis:
There is no difference in the English test score before and after the training.
Alternative hypothesis:
There is a difference in English test scores before and after the training.
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