Runs Test

Runs Test - Use Runs Test to see if a data order is random. Runs Test is a nonparametric test because no assumption is made about population distribution parameters. Use this test when you want to determine if the order of responses above or below a specified value is random. A run is a set of consecutive observations that are all either less than or greater than a specified value.

Suppose an interviewer selects 30 people at random and asks them each a question for which there are four possible answers. Their responses are coded 0, 1, 2, 3. You wish to perform a runs test in order to check the randomness of answers. Answers that are not in random order may indicate that a gradual bias exists in the phrasing of the questions or that subjects are not being selected at random.

[Category=Data Quality ]

Source: iSixSigma, 21 February 2011 08:03:15, https:web.archive.org/web/20111109014246/http:www.isixsigma.com/index.php?option=com_glossary