A test for zero point triserial correlation coefficient and its relationship with tests for homogeneity of means with ordered alternatives

Abstract

The point triserial correlation coefficient is defined and, under appropriate order restrictions, an exact test that this correlation coefficient equals zero is developed. The power function of that test is derived and partially tabulated. The general problem of testing for homogeneity of means under ordered alternatives is discussed. The available procedures for performing such tests are considered, are seen to provide alternative approaches to the test developed herein, and are compared with that test. An exact test for the equality of dependent point triserial correlation coefficients is described through application of a procedure suggested by Wolfe ‘1976’

Keywords:

• correlation coefficient
• serial correlation
• ordered alternatives
• dependent correlation coefficients
• exact tests