Paul R. Yarnold & Gordon C. Brofft
Optimal Data Analysis, LLC
Among the most popular conventional statistical methods, Student’s t-test is used to compare the means of two groups on a single dependent measure assessed on a continuous scale. When three or more groups are compared, t-test is generalized to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). If the F statistic associated with the overall or “omnibus” effect is statistically reliable, then a range test that is more efficient than performing all possible comparisons is used to ascertain the exact nature of interclass differences. In contrast, the dependent measure may be compared between classes via UniODA, to assess if thresholds on the dependent measure separate the classes. If the resulting ESS accuracy statistic for the omnibus effect is statistically reliable, then a recently-developed optimal range test is used to assess the exact nature of interclass differences. ANOVA and UniODA are used to compare three methods commonly used in competitive big-game sport fishing for connecting segments of fishing line. Similarities and differences of parametric GLM and non-parametric ODA methods are demonstrated.
odajournal.com 