Improved Small Sample Inference on the Ratio of Two Coefficients of Variation of Two Independent Lognormal Distributions

Abstract

Without the ability to use research tools and procedures that yield consistent measurements, researchers would be unable to draw conclusions, formulate theories, or make claims about generalizability of their results. In statistics, the coefficient of variation is commonly used as the index of reliability of measurements. Thus, comparing coefficients of variation is of special interest. Moreover, the lognormal distribution has been frequently used for modeling data from many fields such as health and medical research. In this paper, we proposed a simulated Bartlett corrected likelihood ratio approach to obtain inference concerning the ratio of two coefficients of variation for lognormal distribution. Simulation studies show that the proposed method is extremely accurate even when the sample size is small.