Considering the Mood Median Tests.
So, why do various software packages (e.g., R, SAS, STATA, SPSS and even excel–if this is statistical software package) make this test an option. In my opinion, the option “invites” users to use this obsolete test. If this test is “obsolete”, why would R, SAS, STATA, SPSS (and excel) make it easy/possible/acceptable to conduct an analysis using the software.
This post was motivated by a review of a post from CROSS-VALIDATED where what seemed to be a student tried to do an analysis of data using stepwise regression and ended up with a mess. No surprise.
I am happy to know that the Mood median test is something I never need to understand or use. I never even heard of it. But, even in excel, there it is an option to conduct this test as a comparison of medians.
Deeming obsolescent the sign test would likely have many advocates and few detractors.
Deeming obsolescent repeated measures ANOVA should be a special priority for some fields- not limited to psychology, sociology, medicine, economics.
But how to “stomp out” things that are obsolete–regression approaches, tests–others.
Stepwise regression is being TAUGHT in introductory statistics courses.
The sign test is being TAUGHT in introductory statistics courses.
These methods have software that “invites” people to use the methods.
Stepwise regression, the Sign Test, the Mood Median Test (and others) could be taught as “these are methods that were developed in the past and advances in knowledge and technology have made them obsolete.”