Statistical Analysis

Comprehensive statistical testing, power analysis, and experimental design for reproducible research.

When to Use

• Conducting statistical hypothesis tests (t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square)
• Performing regression or correlation analyses
• Running Bayesian statistical analyses
• Checking statistical assumptions and diagnostics
• Calculating effect sizes and conducting power analyses
• Reporting statistical results in APA format
• Planning experiments with proper power calculations
• Helping with the ANALYSIS phase of a research project

Workflow Decision Tree

START
│
├─ Need to SELECT a statistical test?
│  └─ See "Test Selection Guide"
│
├─ Ready to check ASSUMPTIONS?
│  └─ See "Assumption Checking"
│
├─ Ready to run ANALYSIS?
│  └─ See "Running Statistical Tests"
│
└─ Need to REPORT results?
   └─ See "Reporting Results (APA)"

Test Selection Guide

Quick Reference: Choosing the Right Test

Comparing Two Groups:

Comparing 3+ Groups:

Relationships:

Assumption Checking

ALWAYS check assumptions before interpreting test results.

Key Assumptions to Check

import scipy.stats as stats
import numpy as np

# 1. Normality Test (Shapiro-Wilk)
stat, p = stats.shapiro(data)
print(f"Shapiro-Wilk: W={stat:.3f}, p={p:.3f}")
if p < 0.05:
    print("⚠️ Normality assumption violated - consider non-parametric test")

# 2. Homogeneity of Variance (Levene's test)
stat, p = stats.levene(group1, group2)
print(f"Levene's: F={stat:.3f}, p={p:.3f}")
if p < 0.05:
    print("⚠️ Variance assumption violated - use Welch's t-test")

# 3. Outlier Detection (IQR method)
Q1, Q3 = np.percentile(data, [25, 75])
IQR = Q3 - Q1
outliers = data[(data < Q1 - 1.5*IQR) | (data > Q3 + 1.5*IQR)]
print(f"Outliers detected: {len(outliers)}")

What to Do When Assumptions Are Violated

Running Statistical Tests

Python Libraries

import scipy.stats as stats       # Core statistical tests
import statsmodels.api as sm      # Regression, diagnostics
import pingouin as pg             # User-friendly testing
import numpy as np
import pandas as pd

Common Analyses

T-Test with Complete Reporting

import pingouin as pg

# Independent t-test with effect size
result = pg.ttest(group_a, group_b, correction='auto')
print(f"t({result['dof'].values[0]:.0f}) = {result['T'].values[0]:.2f}, "
      f"p = {result['p-val'].values[0]:.3f}, "
      f"d = {result['cohen-d'].values[0]:.2f}")

One-Way ANOVA with Post-Hoc

import pingouin as pg

# ANOVA
aov = pg.anova(dv='score', between='group', data=df, detailed=True)
print(f"F = {aov['F'].values[0]:.2f}, p = {aov['p-unc'].values[0]:.3f}, "
      f"η²_p = {aov['np2'].values[0]:.3f}")

# Post-hoc if significant
if aov['p-unc'].values[0] < 0.05:
    posthoc = pg.pairwise_tukey(dv='score', between='group', data=df)
    print(posthoc[['A', 'B', 'diff', 'p-tukey']])

Linear Regression with Diagnostics

import statsmodels.api as sm

# Fit model
X = sm.add_constant(predictors)
model = sm.OLS(outcome, X).fit()
print(model.summary())

# Key outputs
print(f"R² = {model.rsquared:.3f}, Adjusted R² = {model.rsquared_adj:.3f}")
print(f"F({model.df_model:.0f}, {model.df_resid:.0f}) = {model.fvalue:.2f}, p = {model.f_pvalue:.4f}")

Correlation with Confidence Intervals

import pingouin as pg

# Pearson correlation with CI
result = pg.corr(x, y, method='pearson')
print(f"r = {result['r'].values[0]:.3f}, "
      f"p = {result['p-val'].values[0]:.3f}, "
      f"95% CI [{result['CI95%'].values[0][0]:.3f}, {result['CI95%'].values[0][1]:.3f}]")

Effect Sizes

Always report effect sizes alongside p-values.

Quick Reference: Effect Size Benchmarks

Important: These are guidelines only. Practical significance depends on context.

Power Analysis

A Priori Power Analysis (Before Study)

from statsmodels.stats.power import tt_ind_solve_power, FTestAnovaPower

# T-test: Required n for d=0.5, power=0.80, alpha=0.05
n = tt_ind_solve_power(effect_size=0.5, alpha=0.05, power=0.80, ratio=1.0)
print(f"Required n per group: {n:.0f}")

# ANOVA: Required n for f=0.25, 3 groups
power_anova = FTestAnovaPower()
n = power_anova.solve_power(effect_size=0.25, ngroups=3, alpha=0.05, power=0.80)
print(f"Required n per group: {n:.0f}")

Sensitivity Analysis (After Study)

# What effect could we detect with n=50 per group?
detectable_d = tt_ind_solve_power(effect_size=None, nobs1=50, alpha=0.05, 
                                   power=0.80, ratio=1.0)
print(f"Minimum detectable effect: d = {detectable_d:.2f}")

Reporting Results (APA Format)

Templates for Common Tests

Independent T-Test:

Group A (n = 48, M = 75.2, SD = 8.5) scored significantly higher than
Group B (n = 52, M = 68.3, SD = 9.2), t(98) = 3.82, p < .001, d = 0.77,
95% CI [0.36, 1.18].

One-Way ANOVA:

A one-way ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of treatment on test
scores, F(2, 147) = 8.45, p < .001, η²_p = .10. Post hoc comparisons
using Tukey's HSD indicated that Condition A (M = 78.2, SD = 7.3) 
differed significantly from Condition B (M = 71.5, SD = 8.1, p = .002).

Pearson Correlation:

There was a significant positive correlation between study hours and
exam scores, r(98) = .45, p < .001, 95% CI [.28, .59].

Multiple Regression:

Multiple regression was conducted with exam scores as the outcome.
The model was significant, F(3, 146) = 45.2, p < .001, R² = .48.
Study hours (β = .35, p < .001) and prior GPA (β = .28, p < .001)
were significant predictors.

Integration with RA Workflow

During PLANNING Phase

• Help determine appropriate sample sizes with power analysis
• Suggest statistical approaches for research design

During ANALYSIS Phase

• Run assumption checks on collected data
• Perform planned statistical analyses
• Generate effect sizes and confidence intervals

During WRITING Phase

• Format results for methods and results sections
• Generate APA-formatted statistical reports
• Connect to /write_methods and /write_results skills

Essential Reporting Elements

Always include:

1. Descriptive statistics: M, SD, n for all groups
2. Test statistics: Name, statistic value, df, exact p-value
3. Effect sizes: With confidence intervals when possible
4. Assumption checks: What was tested, results, any corrections
5. All planned analyses: Including non-significant findings