Perform a hypothesis test for 1-Sample Sign

Perform a hypothesis test, enter a test median, and select the alternative hypothesis.

1. To perform a hypothesis test, select Test median and enter a value. Use a hypothesis test to determine whether the population median (denoted as η) differs significantly from the hypothesized median (denoted as η₀) that you specify. If you don't perform the test, Minitab still displays a confidence interval, which is a range of values that is likely to include the population median. For more information, go to What is a hypothesis test?.
2. Enter a value for Test median. The value you enter for Test median defines your null hypothesis (H₀: η = η₀). Think of this value as a target value or a reference value. For example, a chemist enters 12 as the test median to determine whether the median time that it takes for a newly developed antacid to relieve symptoms is different from 12 minutes (H₀: η = 12).
3. From Alternative, select the hypothesis that you want to test:

   less than

   Use this one-sided test to determine whether the population median is less than the test median, and get an upper bound. This one-sided test gives greater power, it cannot detect when the population median is greater.

   For example, a researcher uses this one-sided test to determine whether the median time that it takes a drug to relieve symptoms is less than 12 minutes. This one-sided test has greater power to determine whether the median is less than 12, but it cannot detect whether the median is greater than 12.

   not equal

   Use this two-sided test to determine whether the population median differs from the test median, and to get a two-sided confidence interval. A two-sided test can detect differences that are less than or greater than the hypothesized value, but it has less power than a one-sided test.

   For example, an inspector tests whether the median chromium content in stainless steel differs from the specification of 0.18. Because any difference from the specification is important, the inspector uses this two-sided test to determine whether the median is greater than or less than the specification.

   greater than

   Use this one-sided test to determine whether the population median is greater than the test median and get a lower bound. This one-sided test gives greater power, it cannot detect when the population median is less than the test median.

   For example, a hospital administrator uses this one-sided test to determine whether the median patient satisfaction rating is greater than 90. This one-sided test has greater power to determine whether the median is greater than 90, but it cannot determine whether the median is less than 90.