Citing the results of statistical tests
Test Example of correct citation
1-sample t-test There was a significant difference between the sample mean and the
predicted value (1-sample t-test, t = 3.64, df = 4, p = 0.004). Indicate
whether mean was higher or lower than expected.
Wilcoxon signed-rank test There was a significant difference between the sample median and the
predicted value (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, T = 8.5, n = 10, p = 0.03).
Indicate whether median was higher or lower than expected.
Paired-sample t-test (Before and after example) There was a significant difference between
the mean value of the response before and after the treatment (paired
t-test, t = 7.43, df = 16, p < 0.001). Indicate whether mean was higher
or lower before or after.
Wilcoxon signed-rank test The median difference between samples was significantly different
(applied to paired data) from zero (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, T = 75.3, n = 65, p = 0.005).
2-sample t-test There was a significant difference between mean values (two-sample t-
test, t = 67.3, df = 21, p = 0.012). Indicate which sample had the higher
mean value.
Mann-Whitney U-test There was a significant difference between the median values (Mann-
Whitney test, W = 97.5, n1 = 11, n2 = 15, p = 0.0084). Indicate which
sample had the higher median value.
One-Way ANOVA There was a significant difference between the mean values (one-way
ANOVA, F = 7.79, df = 2, 27, p = 0.002). Post-hoc test results should
also be summarised in the figure or table, with an indication of what
they mean (i.e. letters indicate means that were not significantly
different from each other, Tukey test, p < 0.05).
Kruskal-Wallis test There was a significant difference between the median values of the
response (Kruskal-Wallis test, H = 15.04, df = 43, p = 0.01).
Suitable display of results
Give sample mean and standard deviation/standard
error in text.
Give sample median and inter-quartile range in text or
as a figure (bar plus error bar), or give box-plot of
values in sample.
Mean values (plus standard deviation/standard error)
before and after.
Box plot of differences between samples, or
indication of median difference between samples.
Mean values (plus standard deviation/standard error)
for each sample, either as a figure or in a table.
Box plot of values of each sample or bar chart of
medians with inter-quartile range as error bar.
Mean values (plus standard deviation/standard error)
for each sample, either as a figure or in a table.
Results of post-hoc tests indicated as letters above
means not significantly different from each other.
Box plot of values for each sample or bar chart of
medians with inter-quartile range as error bar.
Test Example of correct citation Suitable display of results

Two-way or more complex If the interaction is significant, then you do not need to include the Mean values (plus standard deviation/standard error)
ANOVA results of the main effects (i.e. each factor independently), so the for each sample, either as a figure or in a table.
results would be as follows: there was a significant interaction Results of post-hoc tests indicated as letters above
between A and B (your factors) on the response (F = 63.27, df = 1, 56, means not significantly different from each other.
p = 0.0013). Remember to include the error df. If the interaction is not
significant, but one or more of the main effects (i.e. each factor
independently) is, then you would include a similar citation for each
significant main effect. Post-hoc test results should also be
summarised in the figure or table, with an indication of what they mean
(i.e. letters indicate means that were not significantly different from
each other, Tukey test, p < 0.05).

Pearson’s (parametric) There was a significant correlation between A and B (your Scatterplot of values of A and B plotted against each
correlation measurements) (Pearson correlation, r = 0.78, n = 43, p = 0.0054). other. NO FITTED LINE.

Spearman’s rank There was a significant correlation between A and B (your Could use a scatterplot of ranked values, but not
correlation (non- measurements) (Spearman’s rank correlation, rs = 0.67, n = 25, p = strictly necessary to display data.
parametric) 0.0054). Remember p values from Minitab cannot be used – you need
to look them up in a statistical table.

Simple linear regression There was a significant relationship between Y and X (y = dependent Scatterplot of values, with fitted regression line
(one variable) or response, x = independent or predictor) (linear regression: F = (Graph > Scatterplot > With Regression in Minitab)
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74.23, df = 1, 45, p = 0.0004, adjusted r = 0.67). Could also give
regression equation, particularly if you have plotted the line on the
figure (e.g. y = 64.3 + 0.65x).

Multiple regression (more There was a significant relationship between Y, X1 and X2 (y =
than one variable) dependent or response, x = independent variables or predictors) (linear
2
regression: F = 86.13, df = 1, 27, p = 0.006, adjusted r = 0.49).
Remember to remove any non-significant variables from the model.
Should give table of regression coefficients (b values,
called Coef. in Minitab), along with SE, t and p as
given in output (but don’t copy and paste directly from
Minitab).