A comparison of parametric and non-parametric analyses of opinion data

Abstract

Questionnaire item responses were analyzed by testing the significance of the differences of percents in response categories, using a non-parametric test, and by testing the group differences in mean item scores, based on weights assigned the responses, using a critical ratio test. The two approaches gave equivalent results in almost all cases. Item mean scores correlated with percent-in-category generally .90 or higher. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)