More than 2 groups

(non-parametric)
KRUSKAL WALLIS ANOVA (H)
Independent samples

The Kruskal-Wallis test is a nonparametric (distribution

free) test, which is used to compare three or more

groups of sample data. It is used when you have one
independent variable with two or more levels and an
ordinal dependent variable. It is the non-parametric
version of One-Way ANOVA where observations are
drawn independently. Kruskal-Wallis Test is used when
assumptions of ANOVA (e.g., normality) are not met.

Hypothesis in Kruskal-Wallis
Test
Ho: the samples are from identical
populations with respect to averages
X1= X2=X3 =.Xn.
Ha: sample comes from different
populations with respect to averages
X1 X2 X3 .Xn..

Assumptions
1. the samples drawn from the
population are random.
2. the cases of each group are
independent.
3. The measurement scale is at least
ordinal.

Procedure for KruskalWallis Test

1. Arrange the data of both samples in a single
series in ascending order.

2. Assign rank to them in ascending order. In the

case of a repeated value, assign ranks to them
by averaging their rank position.
3. Once this is complete, ranks of the different
samples are separated and summed up as R 1
R2 R3, etc.
4. To calculate the value of Kruskal-Wallis Test,
apply the following formula:

where,H = Kruskal-Wallis Test, n = total

number of observations in all samples, Ri =
Rank of the sample

 Kruskal-Wallis Test statistics is approximately

a chi-square distribution, with k-1 degree of
freedom.
If the calculated value of Kruskal-Wallis Test
H is less than the chi-square table value,
then the null hypothesis will be accepted.
If the calculated value of Kruskal-Wallis Test
H is greater than the chi-square table value,
then we will reject the null hypothesis and
say that the sample comes from a different
population.

Example
An educational researcher wishes to test the
hypothesis that school administrators are more
authoritarian than classroom teachers. He
knows however, that his data may be
contaminated by the fact that many classroom
teachers at the same time function as school
administrators. He then divided his 14 subjects
to 3 groups: classroom teachers, classroom
teachers cum administrators, school
administrators. He administers an authoritarian
scale to each of his 14 subjects. His hypothesis
was that the three groups will significantly
differ in terms of level of authoritarianism. Use
alpha=0.05.

Ho: there is no significant difference in

the average authoritarianism score
of the 3 groups
Ha. there is a significant difference in
the average authoritarianism score
of the 3 groups

Classroom teachers classroom teachers

cum administrators

school
administrators

96
128
83
61
101

115
149
166
147

82
124
132
135
109

Classroom teachers classroom teachers

cum administrators

school
administrators

4
9
3
1
5

2
8
10
11
6

7
13
14
12

R1=22

R2=37

R3=46

12
(22) +(37) + (46) - 3(14+1)
14 (14+1) 5
5
4

Hc= 6.4
Decision: From Table K, when ns are 5, 5, and 4, Ht= 5.64. Since
6.4>5.64, then reject Ho.
(For larger samples (n>5), use Table for X to determine critical
table value).
Conclusion: the three groups of educators significantly differ in
terms of level of authoritarianism.
PROCEED TO POST HOC NON-PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS

Kruskal-Wallis Test and SPSS

Analysis
Non-parametric test
k independent sample test
Select the grouping variable, insert them into the right side
grouping variable box and define the group.
Select the dependent variable and insert them into the test
variable list box.
Select Kruskal-Wallis Test as a test type
OK

Exercise
Four different milling machines were being considered for
purchase by a manufacturer. Potentially, the company would
be purchasing hundreds of these machines, so it wanted to
make sure it made the best decision. Initially, five of each
machine were borrowed, and each was randomly assigned to
one of 20 technicians (all technicians were similar in skill).
Each machine was put through a series of tasks and rated
using a standardized test. The higher the score on the test,
the better the performance of the machine. The data are:
Machine 1
24.528.4
23.534.2
26.429.5
27.132.2
29.930.1

26.1
28.3
24.3
26.2
27.8

Machine 2

Machine 3

Machine 4

32.2
34.3
36.2
35.6
32.5

Perform a Kruskal-Wallis test on this data. Are there differences

among the groups?