A longstanding belief has been that a distribution can be assumed symmetric if the mean and median are coincidental. Coincidence of mean and median is a necessary but not sufficient condition for symmetry. Two counter examples proving this point are provided. Plotting of the data and third moment computation are recommended alternatives.…

There are a variety of statistical problems which involve the use of the non-central t-distribution. The development of tables for the non-central t-distribution has been hindered by the number of parameters involved. Several approaches to this task have been made in the literature, characterized by either focusing attention on the subset of…

The kappa coefficient and the chi square statistic are used as indices of agreement between two judges' ratings of a set of stimuli on a nominal scale. In this article, the logic of these indices is extended to weighted multi-way cases. (Author/JKS)

It is shown that the rank-biserial correlation coefficient is a linear function of the U-statistic (Mann and Whitney), so that a test of group mean difference is equivalent to a test of zero correlation for the rank-biserial coefficient. (RC)

Exact conditional tests of independence in cross-classification tables are formulated based on chi square and other statistics with stronger operational interpretations, such as some nominal and ordinal measures of association. Guidelines for table dimensions and sample sizes for which the tests are economically implemented on a computer are…

Presents two experiments concerning confirmatory bias in the way counselors collect data to test their hypotheses. Counselors were asked either to develop their own clinical hypothesis or were given a hypothesis to test. Confirmatory bias in hypothesis testing was not supported in either experiment. (JAC)

An exact probability test for use with certain Likert-type scales is presented. The procedure assumes equally-spaced points, independence of subjects' responses, and that each point has an equal likelihood of response for each subject. Tables for critical values are presented. (Author/JKS)

A procedure is specified for testing the significance of predicted trends in k independent correlations. An example is also provided for illustrative purposes. (Author)

The thought processes of an individual in relation to his left-or right - handedness are discussed. (CK)

Problems of type I errors associated with multiple comparisons in the same experiment are discussed. A table is provided for the rapid determination of experimentwise alpha level when a number of independent statistical tests are employed in the same experiment. Suggested applications and the rationale for this procedure are supplied. (Author/JKS)

Many interactions are found with categorical variables but few with continuous variables, suggesting that, from a mathematical point of view, investigating interactions with continuous variables is less powerful than with categorical variables. This issue is analyzed from three other points of view: study design, measurement of the independent…