To convert a dataset in order to perform the Paired Samples Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, you need to follow these steps:
- Calculate the differences between the pairs of observations in the dataset.
- Rank the absolute differences obtained in step 1 from smallest to largest, ignoring the signs.
- Assign positive or negative signs to each rank according to the sign of the difference in step 1.
- Calculate the sum of the ranks with positive signs (R+) and the sum of the ranks with negative signs (R-).
- Use the formula W = min(R+, R-) to calculate the test statistic.
- Determine the critical value of W from a Wilcoxon signed rank table or use a statistical software to calculate the p-value.
- Compare the calculated test statistic to the critical value or compare the p-value to the predetermined significance level to determine if there is a significant difference between the paired samples.