Choose test

Choose one of three tests:

•A one-sample t test compares the mean of a single column of numbers against a hypothetical mean that you provide. It assumes the values were sampled from a Gaussian distribution.

•A one-sample ratio t test compares the geometric mean of a single column of values against a hypothetical geometric mean that you provide. It assumes that values were sampled from a lognormal distribution.

•The nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test compares the median of a single column of numbers against a hypothetical median. Don't confuse it with the Wilcoxon matched pairs test which compares two paired or matched groups.

Hypothetical value

Enter the hypothetical value to which you wish to compare the mean (t test), geometric mean (ratio t test), or median (Wilcoxon test). When testing the mean or median, this value is often 0, or 100 (when values are percentages), or 1.0 (when values are ratios). Note that for the ratio t test, only positive (non-negative, non-zero) values can be entered for the hypothetical value with this test as zero and negative values are impossible in a lognormal distribution.

With the Wilcoxon test, you also need to specify what to do when a data value exactly equals the hypothetical values. Understand the two choices.