Evidence of equivalence between two groups: Implementation and visualization with EAGC

Abstract

Tests of hypotheses differences are often applied to come to conclusions in the field of physical education research, for example in the context of intervention or evaluation designs. If the result shows no significance, the outcome is comparability of two groups. This procedure, however, opposes the test logic based on the difference hypotheses test and leads to unacceptable interpretations of deviances or misconceptions. Thus, an alternative concept is presented as a viable replacement for the difference hypotheses test. This concept allows for clear evidence of equivalence between two groups according to the right test logic. Generally, the confidence interval inclusion method/TOST (Two One-Sided t-Test) is applied as a valid procedure to generate proof of equivalence of two groups. A fictitious example from research in physical education is selected to introduce the TOST method. First, the theoretical computation approach will be presented. Then, this approach will be applied in a software tool, followed by the application description of the Equivalence And Groups Comparison (EAGC) software.