Abstract
SPECIFIC values from tables of statistical distributions that vary with degrees of freedom and probability (for example Student's t, χ2, correlation (r) or variance ratio (F)) are often included as input data, even to large detailed statistical packages1,2. Alternatively, the complete tables are held in store. The former makes the program less flexible while the latter uses store inefficiency and is impractical for desk-top computers. A common alternative practice is to use approximate values; thus for example it has been suggested3 that for a sample number of thirty and more the values of t should be 2.0 when the probability (P) is 0.05. This value for t(30–∞)is within ±2% of the true value and was considered ‘a close approximation [suitable] for most purposes’.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Sokal, R. R., and Rolf, F. J., Biometry (Freeman, San Francisco, 1969).
Davies, R. G., Computer programming in Quantitative Biology (Academic Press, London, 1971).
Elliott, J. M., Statistical Analysis of Samples of Benthic Invertebrates (Scientific Publication No. 25., Freshwater Biological Association, Ambleside, 1971).
Snedecor, G. W., and Cochran, W. G., Statistical Methods (Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa, 1968).
Fisher, R. A., and Yates, F., Statistical Tables for Biological, Agricultural and Medical Research (Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 1953).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DAWSON, F. Alternatives to the use of tabulated values of distributions in statistical programmes. Nature 256, 148 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/256148a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/256148a0
This article is cited by
-
Parameterization in Life Cycle Assessment inventory data: review of current use and the representation of uncertainty
The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (2012)
-
Statistische Auswertung analytischer Meßdaten
Fresenius' Zeitschrift für analytische Chemie (1980)
-
Empirical formulae for Student's function
Nature (1975)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.