Mann-Whitney U Test using SPSS

Objectives
The Mann-Whitney U Test is used to compare differences between two independent groups when the dependent variable is either (a) ordinal or (b) interval but not normally distributed. It is the nonparametric alternative to the independent t-test.

Assumptions
Random samples from populations The dependent variable is either ordinal, interval or ratio (see our Types of Variable guide for help) Samples do NOT need to be normally distributed

Example
A random sample of overweight, male individuals were recruited to a study to investigate whether an exercise or weight loss intervention would be more effective at lowering blood cholesterol levels in overweight men. To this end, researchers randomly split their sample group into two equally-sized, smaller groups; one group underwent an exercise training programme and the other group undertook a calorie-controlled, weight-loss diet. In order to determine which treatment programme (exercise or diet) was more effective, cholesterol concentrations were compared between the two groups at the end of the treatment programmes.

Setup in SPSS
In SPSS we separated the groups for analysis by creating a grouping variable called "Group" and gave the exercise group a value of " 1" and the diet group a value of "2". Cholesterol concentrations were entered under the variable name "Cholesterol". To correctly setup your data in SPSS to run a Mann-Whitney U Test please read our Entering Data in SPSS tutorial.

Testing Assumptions
Cholesterol concentration is measured on a continuous measurement scale (specifically, a ratio scale) and thus meets the variable requirements for this test. However, having tested the normality of the cholesterol data in the two treatments we have been able to conclude that one of the groups is not normally distributed. Therefore, we cannot use anIndependent

T-Test and have decided to run a Mann-Whitney U Test. The procedure for checking the normality of your data is provided in our Testing for Normality guide.