Statisticians have long been interested in the development and application of nonparametric statistical tests. Although engineers have unknowingly implemented nonparametric detectors in the past, only recently have engineers become aware of the advantages of nonparametric tests, and hence have only recently become interested in the theoretical analysis and application of these detectors. Because of these two facts, almost the entire development and analysis of nonparametric detectors has taken place in the statistical literature.
Engineers are presently highly interested in the application and analysis of nonparametric detectors; however, engineering understanding is proceeding slowly in this area. This is because the basic results of nonparametric detection theory are developed in papers scattered throughout statistical, psychological, and engineering journals and consist almost wholly of mathematically rigorous proofs and statements of theorems or specific applications to nonengineering problems. Consequently, the non-mathematically oriented engineer and the engineer who is unfamiliar with these journals find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to become educated in this area.