2
$\begingroup$

Let $Z_{1},\ldots, Z_{n}$ random variables i.i.d with symmetric continuous distribution in $\theta$.

We consider hypothesis test $$\begin{array}{rcl} H_{0}: && \theta=\theta_{0} \\ H_{a}: && \theta>\theta_{0} \\ \end{array}$$

Let $T_{\theta}$ be a statistic, and let $$\alpha=\mathsf{P}(T_{\theta_{0}}\geq c | H_{0} \mbox{ true})$$ is significance level, that is, reject the null hypothesis if $T_{\theta_{0}}(Z)\geq c$.

My question: What is the power of $T$?

Remark: We remember that

Definition. The power of a hypothesis test is the probability of making the correct decision if the alternative hypothesis is true. That is, the power of a hypothesis test is the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis $H_{0}$ when the alternative hypothesis $H_{a}$ is the hypothesis that is true.

I know that $$\textrm{power}=1-\mathsf{P}(T_{\theta_{a}}\geq k|H_{a}\mbox{ is true})=\mathsf{P}(T_{\theta_{a}}\leq k|H_{a}\mbox{ is true})$$ where $k$ depend of $c$. I do not understand as from $ c $ I can get $ k $ in general. For example, for statistic $$T_{\theta}=\frac{\sqrt{n}(\overline{Z}-\theta)}{s}$$ It is easy to see the dependency of $ c $ (see this link). But it is not easy for the case of the signed statistic $$B=\sum_{i=1}^{n}\psi(Z_{i}-\theta) \quad \mbox{ where } \quad \psi(x):=\left\{\begin{array}{ll} 1 & x>0\\ 0 & x\leq 0 \end{array} \right.$$ or the Wilcoxon signed rank statistic $$W^{+}=\sum_{i=1}^{n}\psi(Z_{i}-\theta)R^{+}_{i}$$ where $R^{+}=(R^{+}_{1},\ldots,R^{+}_{n})$ is the rank vector of $|Z_{1}|,\ldots,|Z_{n}|$. I really have not been able to see that dependence in these cases.

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

0
$\begingroup$

In general, we have the relationship $\alpha \to c = k \to \beta_{\alpha}$, where $\alpha$ is the significance level of the test and $\beta_{\alpha}$ is the power of the test at the significance level $\alpha$. This allows us to consider the power as a function of the level of the test, which is useful when evaluating the actual usefulness of tests done at various significance levels. So, the dependence of $k$ on $c$ is one of identity: $k = c$.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.