National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

The Chi square test is primarily used to determine associations between categorical variables. This statistical test evaluates whether there is a significant association between two nominal or categorical variables. By analyzing frequency counts in different categories, the Chi square test helps researchers understand if the distribution of cases across these categories is different from what would be expected by chance.

This is particularly useful in studies where the goal is to explore relationships between groups or to assess the effectiveness of a treatment based on categorical outcomes. For instance, a dental hygienist might use the Chi square test to analyze the relationship between smoking status (a categorical variable) and the incidence of gum disease (another categorical variable), helping to identify potential risk factors or correlational data.

In contrast, the other statistical methods listed serve different purposes; for example, comparing means involves numerical data and uses tests like t-tests or ANOVA, while assessing variance relates to the spread of numerical data, and correlating variables is concerned with the relationship between continuous variables. The focus on categorical variables makes the Chi square test uniquely suited for exploring associations in a wide range of research contexts.