ASYMPTOTIC TEST STATISTICS FOR COEFFICIENTS OF VARIATION

A one-sample asymptotically normal test statistic is derived for testing the hypothesis that the coefficient of variation of a normal population is equal to a specified value. Based on this derivation, an asymptotically normal two-sample test statistic and an asymptotically chi-square k-sample test statistic are derived for testing the hypothesis that the coefficients of variation of k greater-than-or-equal-to 2 normal populations are equal. The two and k-sample test statistics allow for unequal sample sizes. Results of a simulation study which evaluate the size and power of the test statistics and compare the test statistics to earlier ones developed by McKay (1932) and Bennett (1976) are presented.