George Mason University
School of Information Technology and Engineering
Department of Applied and Engineering Statistics

STAT 657: Nonparametric Statistics

Fall Semester, 2002
Thursdays from 7:20 to 10:00 PM (starting Aug. 29, with other dates given below)

Location: room B103 of Robinson Hall (note: Robinson has an A wing and a B wing)

Instructor: Clifton D. Sutton

Contact Information (phone, fax, e-mail, etc.)
Office Hours: 6:15-7:00 & 10:00-10:30 PM on class nights (more information)

Text: Nonparametric Statistical Methods, by M. Hollander and D. A. Wolfe (Wiley, 1999)

Software: StatXact 5

(Read the bottom portion of this web page in order to learn how you can obtain a copy of the required software at a very low price.)

Prerequisite: STAT 554 or STAT 652

Description:

This course focuses on standard nonparametric procedures useful for the analysis of experimental data. One-sample, two-sample, matched pairs, one-way layout, and two-way layout procedures are covered. Nonparametric tests for lack of independence, nonparametric regression, nonparametric procedures for life distributions and survival analysis, goodness-of-fit tests, and tests for trends are also covered. Applications are emphasized, but theory is not completely neglected. State-of-the-art software for exact nonparametric inferences is to be used throughout the semester.

(Approximate) Class-by-Class Content:

[1] Aug. 29:: introduction (strengths and limitations of nonparametric procedures); procedures for dichotomous data (point estimates, tests, and confidence intervals); tolerance intervals
[2] Sep. 5:: the analysis of matched pairs data (sign test, signed-rank test, normal scores test, permutation test)
[3] Sep. 12:: one sample problems (tests about medians and other quantiles, tests about the mean/median of a symmetric distribution, associated estimates, tests of symmetry (for univariate and bivariate data)
[4] Sep. 19:: two-sample procedures for differences in location
[5] Sep. 26:: two-sample procedures for differences in dispersion; two-sample procedures for general differences (omnibus tests)
[6] Oct. 3:: tests pertaining to one-way layouts (tests against general alternatives, tests against ordered alternatives, tests against umbrella alternatives)
[7] Oct. 10:: more on nonparametric procedures for one-way layouts (comparisons with a control, multiple comparisons between all treatments)
[8] Oct. 17:: tests pertaining to two-way layouts
[9] Oct. 24:: more on nonparametric procedures for two-way layouts
[10] Oct. 31:: the independence problem
[11] Nov. 7:: nonparametric regression
[12] Nov. 14:: comparing two success probabilities
[13] Nov. 21:: nonparametric procedures for life distributions and survival analysis
[**] November 28:: (No class due to Thanksgiving Break)
[14] Dec. 5:: runs tests; goodness-of-fit tests
[**] Dec. 12:: Final Exam (note: exam period is from 7:30 to 10:15 PM)

Grading:

60% for homework assignments
40% for final exam (open book and notes)

Additional Comments:

be sure to note that there is no class on November 28 due to Thanksgiving Break
I can possibly make arrangements to meet with you outside of my scheduled hours; but I tend to have little time for meetings on Wednesdays and Fridays due to another class and two seminars; and on Thursdays I do not like to be bothered from 7:00 to 7:17
put STAT 657 in the subject line when you send me an e-mail (due to so much spam, I delete most messages before reading them based on the subject line)
please do not leave long messages on my voice-mail, and since I often do not get around to returning calls until the evening, you should state what time you plan to go to sleep (and always leave both your day and evening phone numbers, speaking slowly, even though you may have given them to me previously); I much prefer to communicate in person or via e-mail than over the phone (phone tag gets frustrating, and I've experienced problems with the reliability of the GMU voice-mail system --- but I will try to return your calls if you're unable to communicate via e-mail when you're off campus)
please abide by the university policy that cell phone ringers be turned off while class is in session
please do not make a lot of noise eating during class --- if you feel that you must eat during class, please choose a soft candy bar rather than a bag of potato chips (since both the chips and the bag they come in tend to make too much noise when eaten and handled)
you are expected to familiarize yourself with the George Mason University honor code and abide by it; although it is perfectly okay to seek assistance from others on most of the homework problems, it will be considered to be a violation of the honor code if you give or receive unauthorized aid on certain specified homework problems or the final
you are expected to take the final exam during the designated time slot; Incompletes will not be granted except under very unusual circumstances
any class meetings canceled by the university due to snow, sleet, power outage, bombing, etc. will be made up if possible; with regard to bad weather, I plan to teach class if the university is open and not teach it if the university is closed, so instead of calling me if it snows, simply check to determine if the university is open or closed
caveat: the schedule and procedures described here for this course are subject to change (it is the responsibility of students to attend all class meetings, and to check this web site regularly, in order to keep themselves informed of any changes)