An Introduction to Statistics for Librarians (Part Three): An Introduction to Statistical Tests

Abstract

In the previous two columns, types of data, central tendency and distribution were discussed. This installment will build upon that content and explore various statistical tests. Three scenarios are introduced to illustrate how tests can be selected based on the type of data, the number of groups, and the distribution of the data. The column discusses interpreting test results, including challenges around establishing causation and the potential overreliance on p-values.