FISHERS EXACT TEST

Fisher's Exact Test is very similar to the chi-square

test in that researchers are testing the association
or relationship between two dichotomous
categorical variables.
Not matched pairs
Independent observations
Also referred to as the RxC table
How to get the P value

P = (a+b)! (c+d)! (a+c)! (b+d)!

N! a! b! c! d!
 Data Type

Level of measurement: Nominal

Very small sample size
2 Independent Groups
Can handle two variables or more as long as the
variables are dichotomous
Unpaired
Expected count or frequency (a predicted value of a variable,
calculated as the sum of all possible values each multiplied by the probability of
its occurrence) 5
2 x 2 Table
 1 2 Total

1 a b (a + b)

2 c d (b + d)

Total (a + c) (b + d) N
 Null hypothesis

the relative proportions of one variable are

independent of the second variable OR
There is no association between the rows
(Exposure) and columns (Outcomes)
 Alpha Level 0.05

P value < 0.05 = Reject the null hypothesis (It is

statistically significant)

P value > 0.05 = Accept null hypothesis (Not

statistically significant)
 How to run using SPSS

1. The data is entered in a between-subjects fashion. The control group is codified

as "0" and the treatment group is codified as "1." Absence of the outcome is
codified as "0" and presence of the outcome is codified as "1."

2. Click Analyze.

3. Drag the cursor over the Descriptive Statistics drop-down menu.

4. Click Crosstabs.

5. Click on the dichotomous categorical predictor variable to highlight it.

6. Click on the arrow button to move the variable into the Row(s): box.
 How to run using SPSS

7. Click on the dichotomous categorical outcome variable to highlight it.

8. Click on the arrow button to move the variable into

the Column(s): box.
9. Display bar charts (for graphical illustration)
10. Click on the Statistics button.
11. Click on the Chi-square box to select it.
12. Click Continue.
13. For Cells, Click Observed and Expected to ask for both Observed
and Expected counts or values.
14. Also, click Row, Column and Total to ask for the Percentages.
15. Click OK.
 How to run using SPSS

Notes:

There is no box to check in the SPSS for Fishers Exact Test

It runs automatically if it meets the criteria
Will not run if variables are not dichotomous
*Data in red are the Expected Values
How to calculate for the Expected
Value

Formula:

E(X) =XP(X)
 Alpha Level 0.05

P value < 0.05 = Reject the null hypothesis (It is

statistically significant)

P value > 0.05 = Accept null hypothesis (Not

statistically significant)