Test for random order                                   [STB-14: snp5]
---------------------

        ^runtest^ varname [^in^] [, ^c^ontinuity ^d^rop ^m^ean ^s^plit ^t^hreshold(#) ]

tests whether the observations of varname are serially independent--that is, 
whether they occur in a random order--by counting how many runs there are 
above and below a threshold.  By default, the median is used as the threshold.
A very small number of runs indicates positive serial correlation.  A very 
large number of runs indicates negative serial correlation.

Options
-------

^c^ontinuity specifies a continuity correction that may be helpful in
        small samples.  However, if there are fewer than ten observations 
        either above or below the threshold, the tables in Swed and Eisenhart
        provide more reliable critical values.  By default, no continuity
        correction is used.

^d^rop directs the program to ignore any values of varname that are equal to 
        the threshold value when counting runs and tabulating observations.  
        By default, ^runtest^ counts a value as above the threshold when it 
        is strictly above the threshold and as below the threshold when it is 
        less than or equal to the threshold.

^m^ean directs the program to tabulate runs above and below the mean rather
        than the median.

^s^plit directs the program to randomly split values of varname that are 
        equal to the threshold. In other words, when varname is equal to 
        threshold, a "coin" is flipped.  If it comes up heads, the value is
        counted as being above the threshhold.  If it comes up tails, the 
        value is counted as being below the threshold.

^t^hreshold(#) specifies an arbitrary threshold to use in counting runs. 
        For example, if varname has already been coded as a 0|1 variable, the
        median will not generally be meaningful separating value.  



Author
------
        Sean Becketti
        Stata Technical Bulletin
        FAX: 913-888-6708


Reference
---------

Swed, Frieda S. and C. Eisenhart.  1943.  Tables for testing randomness of 
        grouping in a sequence of alternatives.  Annals of Mathematical
        Statistics.  14: 83-86.


Also see
--------

    STB:  snp5 (STB-14)