Goodness of Fit Test
Definition
A Goodness of Fit Test is a statistical test used to determine how well an observed sample data fits an expected theoretical distribution. It assesses whether any differences between observed and expected frequencies are statistically significant or simply due to random chance.
Analogy
Think about baking cookies using a recipe. If you follow all the instructions precisely, your cookies should turn out as expected. However, if you deviate from the recipe, your cookies may not fit what was anticipated. Similarly, a Goodness of Fit Test helps us determine if our sample data "follows" or fits with what we would expect based on theory.
Related terms
Expected Frequencies: These are calculated frequencies based on theoretical distributions and serve as a basis for comparison in a Goodness of Fit Test.
Observed Frequencies: These are the actual frequencies obtained from sample data that are compared to expected frequencies in a Goodness of Fit Test.
Null Hypothesis: In statistical hypothesis testing, the null hypothesis states that any observed differences between observed and expected frequencies are due to random chance and not significant.
"Goodness of Fit Test" appears in:
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Practice Questions (4)
- The chi-square test statistic for a goodness of fit test is calculated by:
- The critical value in a goodness of fit test is obtained from:
- The p-value in a goodness of fit test is the probability of:
- Which of the following statements is true regarding the test statistic (χ2) in a goodness of fit test?
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