XI

Kruskal-Wallis Test

Kruskal-Wallis Test (H-test)

- Used to compare 3 or more independent groups (counterpart of one-way ANOVA)
- Distribution is abnormal
- Significant differences among three or more groups are determined

Steps:
• Rank the data / observation of all the groups from the lowest to the highest value.
• Assign the ranks to the corresponding observation.
• Get the R1, R2,… Rn
• Determine the sample size of every group.
• Use the formula of H-test:

Formula
12 Ri2
H= ∑ − 3(n + 1)
n(n + 1) ni
Where: H = Kruskal-Wallis Test
n = the number of observation
12 = constant
3 = constant

• Example: Consider the examination scores of samples of high school students who are taught in English using
three different methods: Method 1 (classroom instruction and language laboratory), Method 2 (only classroom
instruction), Method 3 (only self-study in language laboratory). The data is assumed to have a skewness equal to
0.25 and a kurtosis equal to 0.40. Test whether there are differences in the scores under the three methods.

• For normal distribution: Sk =0, Ku = 0.265

Method 1 R1 Method 2 R2 Method 3 R3

94 17 85 8.5 89 12
88 10.5 88 10.5 78 3
90 14 90 14 75 2
95 18 80 6 65 1
92 16 79 4 80 6
90 14 85 8.5
80 6
n1 = 6 ∑R1 = 89.5 n2 = 7 ∑R2 = 57.5 n3 = 5 ∑R3 = 24
Note: Arrange the scores jointly from the lowest to the highest, then rank them.
Number Scores Rank
1 65 1
2 75 2
3 78 3
4 79 4
5 80 6
6 80 6
7 80 6
8 85 8.5
9 85 8.5
10 88 10.5
11 88 10.5
12 89 12
13 90 13
14 90 14
15 90 15
16 92 16
17 94 17
 18 95 18

Solution:
1. Statement of the Problem:
Are there significant differences in the average scores using the three different methods of teaching English?
2. Hypotheses:
Ho: There is no significant differences in the average scores using the three different methods of teaching
English.
H1: There are significant differences in the average scores using the three different methods of teaching
English
3. Level of Significance:
α = 0.05
df = h-1 = 3-1 = 2
X20.05 = 5.991 (Use the chi square value in comparing the H value)
4. Statistics:
H-test
Computation:
12 (89.5)2 (57.5)2 (24)2
H= ( + + )− 3(18 + 1)
18(18+1) 6 7 5
12
H= (1335.04 + 472.32 + 115.2) − 57
342
12
H= (1922.56) − 57 = 67.458 − 57
342
H = 10.458
5. Decision Rule:

If the H-computed value is greater than the X2tabular value, disconfirm the HO.
6. Conclusion:
Since the H-computed value of 10.458 is greater than the X2 tabular value of 5.991 at 0.05 level of
significance with 2 degrees of freedom, the research hypothesis is confirmed. This means that there is a
significant difference in the average scores using the three different methods of teaching English. It can also
be concluded that the three methods are not equally effective.