Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Statistical Inference Techniques in Hypothesis Testing: Parametric Versus Nonparametric Data01:16

Statistical Inference Techniques in Hypothesis Testing: Parametric Versus Nonparametric Data

193
Statistical inference techniques, paramount in hypothesis testing, differentiate into two broad categories: parametric and nonparametric statistics.
Parametric statistics, as the name suggests, assumes that data follow a specific distribution, often a normal distribution. This assumption enables robust hypothesis testing and estimation. Parametric methods, like the Student's t-test or Goodness-of-fit test, are frequently employed in biostatistics due to their robustness. For instance,...
193
Introduction to Nonparametric Statistics01:28

Introduction to Nonparametric Statistics

844
Nonparametric statistics offer a powerful alternative to traditional parametric methods, useful when assumptions about the population distribution cannot be made. Unlike parametric tests, which require data to follow a specific distribution with well-defined parameters (such as the mean and standard deviation), nonparametric tests do not require such constraints. This makes them particularly valuable when dealing with small sample sizes, skewed data, or ordinal and categorical variables.
One of...
844
Statistical Methods to Analyze Parametric Data: Student t-Test and Goodness-of-Fit Test01:09

Statistical Methods to Analyze Parametric Data: Student t-Test and Goodness-of-Fit Test

1.8K
In parametric statistics, two fundamental tests stand out for their utility and wide application: the Student's t-test and goodness-of-fit tests. These tests provide researchers with a robust method for drawing insights from data, testing hypotheses, and making informed decisions based on their findings.
The Student's t-test is a statistical test that examines if there is a statistically significant difference between the means of two groups. This test is instrumental when dealing with...
1.8K
Statistical Methods to Analyze Parametric Data: ANOVA01:12

Statistical Methods to Analyze Parametric Data: ANOVA

629
Analysis of Variance, or ANOVA, is a powerful statistical technique used to analyze parametric data, primarily in research and experimental studies. It's designed to compare the means of two or more groups, assisting researchers in identifying any significant differences between these group means. There are two main types of ANOVA based on the complexity of the analysis: one-way and two-way.
One-way ANOVA is applied when a single independent variable or factor is scrutinized. It compares...
629
Ranks01:02

Ranks

278
Unlike parametric methods, nonparametric statistics are ideal for nominal and ordinal data, requiring fewer assumptions about the population's nature or distribution. This makes nonparametric methods easier to apply and interpret, as they do not depend on parameters like mean or standard deviation. One common approach in nonparametric analysis is to sort data according to a specific criterion. For instance, we might arrange weather data from hottest to coldest days in a month or rank cities...
278
Decision Making: Traditional Method01:14

Decision Making: Traditional Method

4.1K
The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
4.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cytopathology Terminology Systems: European Federation of Cytological Societies Survey on Practice in Europe.

Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology·2026
Same author

Recommendations for reporting measures of diagnostic accuracy.

Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology·2023
Same author

Recommendations for reporting statistical results when comparing proportions.

Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology·2022
Same author

Opportunity to elevate the quality of data reporting in Cytopathology.

Cytopathology : official journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology·2021

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2025

Behavioral Approaches to Studying Innate Stress in Zebrafish
05:29

Behavioral Approaches to Studying Innate Stress in Zebrafish

Published on: May 1, 2019

9.1K

Parametric or nonparametric statistical tests: Considerations when choosing the most appropriate option for your

Colleen M Vrbin1

  • 1Analytical Insights, LLC, Allison Park, Pennsylvania, USA.

Cytopathology : Official Journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology
|August 26, 2022
PubMed
Summary

This guide helps cytopathology professionals choose between parametric and nonparametric statistical tests. Proper selection ensures accurate data analysis and reporting for scientific publications.

Keywords:
non-normal distributionnonparametric statistical testsnormal distributionparametric statistical tests

More Related Videos

Addressing Practical Issues in Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Micro-Indentation on Human Articular Cartilage Explants
08:06

Addressing Practical Issues in Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Micro-Indentation on Human Articular Cartilage Explants

Published on: October 28, 2022

1.1K
Flypub To Study Ethanol Induced Behavioral Disinhibition and Sensitization
08:13

Flypub To Study Ethanol Induced Behavioral Disinhibition and Sensitization

Published on: May 18, 2020

6.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 30, 2025

Behavioral Approaches to Studying Innate Stress in Zebrafish
05:29

Behavioral Approaches to Studying Innate Stress in Zebrafish

Published on: May 1, 2019

9.1K
Addressing Practical Issues in Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Micro-Indentation on Human Articular Cartilage Explants
08:06

Addressing Practical Issues in Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Micro-Indentation on Human Articular Cartilage Explants

Published on: October 28, 2022

1.1K
Flypub To Study Ethanol Induced Behavioral Disinhibition and Sensitization
08:13

Flypub To Study Ethanol Induced Behavioral Disinhibition and Sensitization

Published on: May 18, 2020

6.6K

Area of Science:

  • Medical Statistics
  • Cytopathology Data Analysis

Background:

  • Cytopathology articles frequently report statistical tests for comparing samples.
  • Commonly used tests include t tests, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide recommendations for optimal data reporting in cytopathology.
  • To guide the selection of appropriate statistical tests, focusing on parametric vs. nonparametric methods.

Main Methods:

  • Review of statistical methods commonly reported in cytopathology literature.
  • Discussion of considerations for choosing between parametric and nonparametric tests based on data distribution.

Main Results:

  • Comparison of proportions was the most common statistical test category.
  • Tests for comparing samples (t tests, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis) are also frequently reported.
  • The choice between parametric and nonparametric tests depends on whether data follows a normal distribution.

Conclusions:

  • Selecting the correct statistical test is crucial for accurate data interpretation in cytopathology.
  • Consulting a statistician is recommended for developing a comprehensive analytical plan before data collection.