The Kruskal–Wallis Non Parametric Hypothesis Test (1952) is a nonparametric analog of the one-way analysis of variance. It is generally used when the measurement variable does not meet the normality assumptions of one-way ANOVA. It is also a popular nonparametric test to compare outcomes among three or more independent (unmatched) groups.
Consider Mann–Whitney test for just two groups instead of Kruskal–Wallis test. Like Mann-Whitney test, this test may also evaluates the differences of the groups by estimating the differences in ranks among the groups.
Generally in ANOVA test, assumption is that the dependent variable is drawn from a normally distributed population and also assumes that common variance across groups. But, in Kruskal-Wallis Test, there is no necessity of these assumptions. Therefore, this test is the best option for both continuous as well as ordinal type of data.
Assumptions of the Kruskal-Wallis Test
- All samples are randomly drawn from their respective population.
- Independence within each sample.
- The measurement scale is at least ordinal.
- Mutual independence among the various samples
Uses of Kruskal-Wallis Non Parametric Hypothesis Test Test
Kruskal-Wallis test can be used for any industry to understand the dependent variable where it has three or more independent groups. For example, this test helps to understand the students performance in exams. While the scores are measured on a scale from 0-100, the scores may be vary based on exam anxiety levels (low, medium, high and severe -in this case four different groups) of the students.
Procedure to conduct Kruskal-Wallis Test
- First pool all the data across the groups.
- Rank the data from 1 for the smallest value of the dependent variable and next smallest variable rank 2 and so on… (if any value ties, in that case it is advised to use mid-point), N being the highest variable.
- Compute the test statistic
- Determine critical value from Chi-Square distribution table
- Finally, formulate decision and conclusion
Most of the teams lose track when they exercise the ranks for the original variables. Hence this can make Kruskal–Wallis test a bit less powerful than a one-way ANOVA test.
Calculation of the Kruskal-Wallis Non Parametric Hypothesis Test
The Kruskal–Wallis Non Parametric Hypothesis Test is to compare medians among k groups (k > 2). The null and alternative hypotheses for the Kruskal-Wallis test are as follows:
- Null Hypothesis H0: Population medians are equal
- Alternative Hypothesis H1: Population medians are not all equal
As explained above, the procedure for Kruskal-Wallis test pools the observations from the k groups into one combined sample, and then rank from lowest to highest value (1 to N), where N is the total number of values in all the groups.
The test statistic for the Kruskal Wallis test (mostly denoted as H) is defined as follows:
Where Ti = rank sum for the ith sample i = 1, 2,…,k
In Kruskal-Wallis test, the H value will not have any impact for any two groups in which the data values have same ranks. Either increasing the largest value or decreasing the smallest value will have zero effect on H. Hence, the extreme outliers (higher and lower side) will not impact this test.
Example of Kruskal-Wallis Non Parametric Hypothesis Test
In a manufacturing unit, four teams of operators were randomly selected and sent to four different facilities for machining techniques training. After the training, the supervisor conducted the exam and recorded the test scores. At 95% confidence level does the scores are same in all four facilities?
- Null Hypothesis H0: The distribution of operator scores are same
- Alternative Hypothesis H1: The scores may vary in four facilities
Rank the score in all the facilities
While for a right tailed chi-square test with 95% confidence level, and df =3, critical χ2 value is 7.81
Critical values of Chi-Square Distribution
Calculated χ2 value is greater than the critical value of χ2for a 0.05 significance level. χ2calculated >χ2critical hence reject the null hypotheses
So, there is enough evidence to conclude that difference in test scores exists for four teaching methods at different facilities.
Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Kruskal-Wallis Test Questions:
Question 1: In an organization, management conducted a study comparing Purchase, Marketing, Quality and Production groups on a measure of leadership skills. Which of the following test would an organization choose?
Question 2: Which of the following nonparametric test use the rank sum?
(A) Runs test
(B) Mood’Median test
(C) Sign test
(D) Kruskal-Wallis test