Misconceptions Leading to Choosing the t Test Over the Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney Test for Shift in Location Parameter

There exist many misconceptions in choosing the t over the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test when testing for shift. Examples are given in the following three groups: (1) false statement, (2) true premise, but false conclusion, and (3) true statement irrelevant in choosing between the t test and the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test

Fermat, Schubert, Einstein, and Behrens-Fisher: The Probable Difference Between Two Means When σ_1^2≠σ_2^2

The history of the Behrens-Fisher problem and some approximate solutions are reviewed. In outlining relevant statistical hypotheses on the probable difference between two means, the importance of the Behrens- Fisher problem from a theoretical perspective is acknowledged, but it is concluded that this problem is irrelevant for applied research in psychology, education, and related disciplines. The focus is better placed on “shift in location” and, more importantly, “shift in location and change in scale” treatment alternatives

Fermat, Schubert, Einstein, and Behrens-Fisher: The Probable Difference Between Two Means When σ\u3csub\u3e1\u3c/sub\u3e\u3csup\u3e2\u3c/sup\u3e≠ σ\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e\u3csup\u3e2\u3c/sup\u3e

The history of the Behrens-Fisher problem and some approximate solutions are reviewed. In outlining relevant statistical hypotheses on the probable difference between two means, the importance of the Behrens- Fisher problem from a theoretical perspective is acknowledged, but it is concluded that this problem is irrelevant for applied research in psychology, education, and related disciplines. The focus is better placed on “shift in location” and, more importantly, “shift in location and change in scale” treatment alternatives

Mathmatics in Volume I of \u3cem\u3eScripta Universitatis\u3c/em\u3e

Immanuel Velikovsky’s journal, Scripta Universitatis, edited by Albert Einstein and first published in 1923, played a significant role in the establishment of the library, and hence, Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The inaugural issue contained an article by the French mathematician Jacques Hadamard. Excerpts from Velikovsky’s diary pertaining to the rationale for the creation of the journal, and the interest in Jewish scholars such as Hadamard, are translated here

S-Index: A Comprehensive Scholar Impact Index

Limitations of impact indices to compare scholars across disciplines and time based only the number of publications and citations are discussed. The S-index, based on more comprehensive scholar impact factors, is proposed

Teaching Random Assignment: Do You Believe It Works?

Textbook authors admonish students to check on the comparability of two randomly assigned groups by conducting statistical tests on pretest means to determine if randomization worked. A Monte Carlo study was conducted on a sample of n = 2 per group, where each participant’s personality profile was represented by 7,500 randomly selected and assigned scores. Independent samples t tests were conducted and the results demonstrated that random assignment was successful in equating the two groups on 7,467 variables. The students’ focus is redirected from the ability of random assignment to create comparable groups to the testing of the claims of randomization schemes

A Different Future For Social And Behavioral Science Research

The dissemination of intervention and treatment outcomes as effect sizes bounded by conf idence intervals in order to think meta-analytically was promoted in a recent article in Educational Researcher. I raise concerns with unfettered reporting of effect sizes, point out the con in confidence interval, and caution against thinking meta-analytically. Instead, cataloging effect sizes is recommended for sample size estimation and power analysis to improve social and behavioral science research

Controlling Experiment-wise Type I Error of Meta-analysis in the Solomon Four-group Design

Abstract. Stouffer=s Z, a meta-analytic technique, was proposed by W. Braver and Braver (1988) for analyzing data collected from a Solomon Four-group Design. Sawilowsky, Kelley, Blair, and Markman (1994) showed that this technique produces inflated Type I error rates. Recommendations are made to control the false positive inflation of their procedure