The article provides perspectives on p values, null hypothesis testing, and alternative techniques in light of modern robust statistical methods. Null hypothesis testing and "p" values can provide useful information provided they are interpreted in a sound manner, which includes taking into account insights and advances that have…

For two random variables, X and Y, let D = X - Y, and let theta[subscript x], theta[subscript y], and theta[subscript d] be the corresponding medians. It is known that the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and its modern extensions do not test H[subscript o] : theta[subscript x] = theta[subscript y], but rather, they test H[subscript o] : theta[subscript…

Consider the nonparametric regression model Y = m(X)+ [tau](X)[epsilon], where X and [epsilon] are independent random variables, [epsilon] has a median of zero and variance [sigma][squared], [tau] is some unknown function used to model heteroscedasticity, and m(X) is an unknown function reflecting some conditional measure of location associated…

When comparing k normal populations an investigator might want to know the probability that the population with the largest population mean will have the largest sample mean. This paper describes and illustrates methods of approximating this probability when the variances are unknown and possibly unequal. (Author/BW)

When analyzing a squared multiple correlation coefficient, an investigator may be interested in determining whether it is above or below a known constant, rather than testing the null hypothesis. This paper gives the sample sizes required for answering this question when indifference zone formulation of the problem is used. (Author/BW)