Proposed Nonparametric Tests for Equality of Location and Scale Against Ordered Alternatives

Abstract

Ordered alternatives tests are sometimes used in life-testing experiments and drug-screening studies. An ordered alternative test is sometimes used to gain power if the researcher thinks parameters will be ordered in a certain way if they are different. This research proposal focuses on developing new nonparametric tests for the nondecreasing ordered alternative problem for k (k≥3) populations when testing for differences in both location and scale. Six nonparametric tests are proposed for the nondecreasing ordered alternative when testing for a difference in either location or scale. The six tests are various combinations of a well-known ordered alternatives test for location and a test based on the Moses test technique for testing differences in scale. A simulation study is conducted to determine how well the proposed tests maintain their significance levels. Powers are estimated for the proposed tests under a variety of conditions for three, four and five populations. Several types of variable parameters are considered: when the location parameters are different and the scale parameters are equal; when the location parameters are equal and the scale parameters are different; when the location and scale parameters are both different. Equal and unequal samples sizes of 18 and 30 are considered. Subgroup sizes of 3 and 6 are both used when applying the Moses test technique. Recommendations are given for which test should be used for various situations.