
Scheffé Test
A Scheffé test is a statistical test that is a post-hoc test used in statistical analysis. While the Scheffé test has the advantage of giving the experimenter the flexibility to test any comparisons that appear interesting, the drawback of this flexibility is that the test has relatively lower statistical power than tests that are designed for pre-planned comparisons. The Scheffé test is used to make unplanned comparisons, rather than pre-planned comparisons, among group means in an analysis of variance (ANOVA) experiment. The Scheffé test is used to make unplanned comparisons, rather than pre-planned comparisons, among group means in an analysis of variance (ANOVA) experiment. A drawback of the Scheffé test is that the test has relatively lower statistical power than tests that are designed for pre-planned comparisons.

What Is a Scheffé Test?
A Scheffé test is a statistical test that is a post-hoc test used in statistical analysis. It was named after American statistician Henry Scheffé. The Scheffé test is used to make unplanned comparisons, rather than pre-planned comparisons, among group means in an analysis of variance (ANOVA) experiment.
An unplanned comparison is a comparison made within a data set after an ANOVA test has been run, so the parameters of the comparison are not built into the ANOVA experiment. The Scheffé test can be used to determine whether individual means differ, or whether an average one group of means differs from the average of another group of means.





Understanding the Scheffé Test
While the Scheffé test has the advantage of giving the experimenter the flexibility to test any comparisons that appear interesting, the drawback of this flexibility is that the test has relatively lower statistical power than tests that are designed for pre-planned comparisons.
While pre-planned comparisons can be made using tests such as t-tests or F-tests, these tests are not suitable for post hoc or unplanned comparisons. For such comparisons, multiple comparison tests such as the Scheffé test, the Tukey-Kramer method, or the Bonferroni test are appropriate.
Related terms:
Analysis Of Variances (ANOVA)
Analysis of variances (ANOVA) is a statistical examination of the differences between all of the variables used in an experiment. read more
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) & Formula
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is a statistical analysis tool that separates the total variability found within a data set into two components: random and systematic factors. read more
Bonferroni Test
A Bonferroni Test is a type of multiple comparison test used in statistical analysis. read more
Runs Test
Traders use a runs test to determine the randomness of data by revealing any variables that might affect data patterns, such as a stock's price movement. read more
Statistics
Statistics is the collection, description, analysis, and inference of conclusions from quantitative data. read more