Which one of the following statements correctly states the difference between parametric and nonparametric statistical methods?
A) Nonparametric tests do not make any distributional assumptions throughout the entire process.
B) Nonparametric tests do not have the hypotheses based on population parameters or assumptions based on the distributions of populations from which the samples are drawn.
C) Nonparametric tests involve only interval data whereas parametric tests involve only ordinal data.
D) Nonparametric tests are involved with populations which have no parameters.
E) None of these.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The main difference is that parametric tests make assumptions about the distribution of the population, while nonparametric tests do not. Nonparametric tests do not rely on population parameters or assumptions about the distribution of the populations from which the samples are drawn, making them more flexible in application. Choice A is not entirely accurate as some nonparametric tests do make distributional assumptions at certain points in the process. Choice C is incorrect as both parametric and nonparametric tests can involve a range of data types. Choice D is incorrect as all populations have parameters, though not all parameters may be known or relevant for a particular analysis.

Which One of the Following Statements Correctly States the Difference