Grubbs Test for Outliers

There are several tests available to detect outliers in a data set that are caused
by gross errors. One of these is the Grubbs test. To apply this test, one
calculates the experimental G statistic for the data set (denoted as G exp ) as
follows:

Gexp=
where

|x q x |
s
xq

is the questionable value of data set,

is the sample standard deviation. The calculated

is the sample mean, and

Gexp

is then compared to

the tabulated critical G value ( G tab ; see table 1). If G exp >G tab , then the
suspected outlier must be rejected; otherwise, it must be retained.

Table 1. Critical G values for Grubbs test

Degrees of
90% confidence
95% confidence
freedom (n 1)
level
level
2
1.15
1.15
3
1.42
1.48
4
1.60
1.71
5
1.73
1.89
6
1.83
2.02
7
1.91
2.13
8
1.98
2.21
9
2.03
2.29
10
2.09
2.36

99% confidence
level
1.15
1.50
1.76
1.97
2.14
2.27
2.39
2.48
2.56