Equivalence tests are new in Minitab v17. We will use an equivalence test to determine if the mean of a sample can be found to be equivalent for a target value.
These tests are similar to t-tests, but where the t-test null hypothesis is no difference, an equivalence test uses a null hypothesis of there is a difference.
The example dataset here is fill volumes of syringes. The target fill volume is 15 ml; we would like to know if the fill volumes of this process are equivalent to the goal of 15 to within +/- .25 ml around the target.
The following steps compare the measured volumes to the target of 15:
Navigate to Stat | Equivalence Tests | 1 Sample….
Enter Volume for the Sample: column.
Enter
15as Target:.For Lower limit:, enter
-.25.For Upper limit:, enter
.25.Click on OK.