SIGNED RANK TEST

The Wilcoxon signed rank test is another example of

a non-parametric or distribution free test. Wilcoxon
signed rank test is used to test the null hypothesis
that the median of a distribution is equal to some
value. It can be used:
 in place of a one-sample t-test
 in place of a paired t-test
 for ordered categorical data where a numerical
scale is inappropriate but where it is possible to the
rank observations.
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 Two slightly different versions of the test:

 The Wilcoxon signed rank test compares your

sample median against a hypothetical
median.

 The wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test

computes the difference between each set of
matched pairs, then follows the same
procedure as the signed rank test to compare
the sample against some median.
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Carrying out the Wilcoxon signed rank test
CASE 1: PAIRED DATA
• State the null hypothesis – in this case its that the
median difference , M, is equal to zero.
• Calculate each paired difference, di=XI-YI , where XI , YI
are the pairs of observation.
• Rank the di , ignoring the signs ( i.e assign rank 1 to the
smallest |di| , rank 2 to the next etc.)
• Label each rank with its sign, according to the sign of
di.
• Calculate W+, the sum of the ranks of the positive dis,
and W−, the sum of the ranks of the negative dis. (As a
check the total,W+ + W−, should be equal to n(n+1)/2,
wheren is the number of pairs of observations in the
sample).
Carrying out the Wilcoxon signed rank test
CASE 2: SINGLE SET OF OBSERVATIONS
• State the null hypothesis - the median value is equal
to some value M.
• Calculate the difference between each observation
and the hypothesised median,di=xi−M.
• Rank the di , ignoring the signs ( i.e assign rank 1 to
the smallest |di| , rank 2 to the next etc.
• Label each rank with its sign, according to the sign of
di.
• Calculate W+, the sum of the ranks of the positive dis,
and W−, the sum of the ranks of the negative dis. (As
a check the total,W+ + W−, should be equal to
n(n+1)/2, where n is the number of pairs of
observations in the sample).
• Choose W= min(W−,W+).
 • Use tables of critical values for the Wilcoxon signed rank
sum test to find the probability of observing a value of W
or more extreme. Most tables give both one-sided and
two-sided p-values. If not, double the one-sided p-value to
obtain the two-sidedp-value. This is an exact test

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 Example 1:
A study is run to evaluate the effectiveness of an
exercise program in reducing systolic blood pressure in
patients with pre-hypertension (defined as a systolic
blood pressure between 120-139mmHg or a diastolic
blood pressure between 80-90 mmHg). A total of 15
patients with pre-hypertension enroll in the study , and
their systolic blood pressures are measured. Each
patient then participates in an exrcise training program
where they learn proper techniques and execution of a
series of a exercises. Patients are instructed do the
exercise program 3 times per week for 6 weeks. After 6
weeks, systolic blood pressures again measured.

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 Example 2:
It is claimed that a college senior can increase
his score in the major field area of the
graduate record examination by atleast 50
points if he is provided with sample problems
in advance. To test this claim, 20 college
senior are divided 10 pairs such that each
matched pair has almost the same overall
quality point average for their first 3 years in
college sample problems and answers
provided at random to one member of each
pair 1 week prior to the examination. The
8 following examination scores were recorded:
 BIG concept
We may reject HO in
favor of H1 if the
statisticsl test value (W)
is less than or equal the
critical value.
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 Thanks!

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