Chi-Square Test for Goodness of Fit – Learn It 2

  • Complete a chi-square test for goodness of fit and write its conclusion in context of the problem

Chi-Square ([latex]\chi^2[/latex]) Distribution

Unlike other sampling distributions we have studied, the chi-square model does not have a normal shape. It is skewed to the right. Like the [latex]t[/latex]-model, the chi-square model is a family of curves that depend on degrees of freedom.

  • For a chi-square goodness of fit test, the degrees of freedom is (number categories [latex]- 1[/latex]).
  • The mean of the chi-square distribution is equal to the degrees of freedom.

conditions for a [latex]\chi^2[/latex] goodness of fit test

A chi-square model is a good fit for the distribution of the chi-square test statistic only if the following conditions are met:

  • Random: Observed counts must come from a random sample (to ensure our conclusions are free from sampling bias).
  • 10%: The sample size must be less than a tenth of the population size (to satisfy independence assumptions).
  • Large Sample: The sample is large enough such that the expected counts are all five or greater (to ensure our sampling distribution resembles a chi-square distribution).
Imagine that three different teams of researchers gathered birthdate data on three different random samples of professional Italian football players. The following tables show their results.

Sample A

Quarter 1

(Jan. – March)

Quarter 2

(April – June)

Quarter 3

(July – Sept.)

Quarter 4

(Oct. – Dec.)

Observed number of football players 3 4 2 1
Sample B

Quarter 1

(Jan. – March)

Quarter 2

(April – June)

Quarter 3

(July – Sept.)

Quarter 4

(Oct. – Dec.)

Observed number of football players 3,000 4,000 2,000 1,000
Sample C

Quarter 1

(Jan. – March)

Quarter 2

(April – June)

Quarter 3

(July – Sept.)

Quarter 4

(Oct. – Dec.)

Observed number of football players 507 534 389 273

The data in the tables are displayed in the following side-by-side bar chart:

Appropriate alternative text can be found in the description above.