Methods Manual: t-test - hand calculation - for paired samples*
1. List the raw scores by group
2. Subtract each Y score from each X score (d).
3. Square each d and sum.
4. Use the following formula to calculate the t-ratio.
d = difference between matched scores
N = number of pairs of scores
5. Find the probability value (p) associated with the obtained t-ratio.
6. Calculate degrees of freedom (df)
df = N (number of pairs) - 1
df = 11-1 = 10
7. Use the abbreviated table of Critical Valuesfor t-test to find the p value.
For this example, t = -2.35, df = 10. The obtained value of 2.35 exceeds the cutoff
of 2.11 (df = 17, nearest df shown on the table) at the .05 level. Therefore, p <.05.
In a report the result is shown as t(17) = -2.35, p<.05.
A plus or minus sign at the end, associated with the t-ratio, indicates the direction
of the difference between the means (anxiety was higher on exam day).
The p value remains the same in either direction.
* If you have independent samples (i.e., two different groups of subjects), you
must use a different formula. See t-test for independent samples.
Methods Manual: t test - selected critical values
(for a full table consult a statistics textbook)
There are 3 set of numbers shown here:
1. df (degrees of freedom) = (n - 1) + (n - 1)
2. t cutoffs
3. Probability levels (level of significance)
If the obtained t-ratio (the one that you computed) is equal to or larger than the value
shown on this table, then your t-ratio's p level is equal to or smaller than the level shown
at the top of the column (.05 or .01).
Probability level
degrees of .05 .01
freedom (df)
17 2.11 2.90
18 2.10 2.88
19 2.09 2.86
20 2.09 2.84
25 2.06 2.79
30 2.04 2.75
40 2.02 2.7
50 2.01 2.68
100 1.98 2.63
Example: Using the formula, you get t = 2.48, df=24. Use the closest cutoff for df (in this
case, 25). The obtained t of 2.48 has a probability lying somewhere between .05 and .01
(because it is greater than 2.06 but less than 2.84, the values shown on the table
at df=25). We don't know its exact probability, but can describe it as <.05 (and >.01).
Review the Introduction section on interpreting p.
Each t-ratio has an exact probability associated with it at a given df level. If you use a
computer program, you will get the exact value. It takes too much space to put all values
on a table, so only the cutoff values for the .05 and .01 levels of significance (critical
values) are given here.
For finding the probability (p), don't worry about the sign (minus or plus) associated with
your calculation of t. It indicates the direction of the difference between the means.
The pvalue is the same in either direction.
Methods Manual: t-test - hand calculation - for independent samples*
1. List the raw scores by group
2. Calculate the sum of the scores for the first group ( X) and for the second group
( Y) (columns 1 and 3).
3. Square each individual score and sum those for each
group, and (columns 2 and 4)
4. Use the following formula to calculate the t-ratio.
= sum the following scores
= mean for Group A
= mean for Group B
X = score in Group 1
Y = score in Group 2
= number of scores in Group 1
= number of scores in Group 2
5. Find the probability value (p) associated with the obtained t-ratio of -2.19.
a. Calculate degrees of freedom (df)
df = +
df = (10-1) + (9-1) = 17
b. Use the abbreviated table of Critical Values for t-test to find the p value.
For this example, t = -2.40, df = 17. The obtained value of 2.40 exceeds the cutoff of
2.11 shown on the table at the .05 level. Therefore, p <.05. In a report the result is
shown as t(17) = -2.40, p<.05.
A plus or minus sign at the end, associated with the t-ratio,
indicates the direction of the difference between the means
(Group B had a higher mean than Group A). The p value
remains the same in either direction. Here is the outcome
in statistical terms:
* If you have matched samples (i.e., the two sets of scores are from the same individuals
or from matched groups), you must use a different formula. See t-test for paired
samples.
