Struggling to compare two independent groups when your data isn't normally distributed? Enter the Mann-Whitney U test! This powerful non-parametric test helps you determine if there's a statistically significant difference between the medians of two groups, even if your data violates the assumptions required for a t-test.
Think of it this way: instead of focusing on averages, the Mann-Whitney U test ranks all your data points together and sees if one group tends to have higher or lower ranks than the other. A significant result suggests that one group consistently scores higher (or lower) than the other.
When should you use it? Whenever you're comparing two independent groups, your data isn't normally distributed, or you're dealing with ordinal data (like ranked preferences). It's a robust alternative to the t-test, making it a valuable tool in your statistical arsenal. So next time your data throws you a curveball, remember the Mann-Whitney U test!
