The t-TEST

I. t - test for Two Independent Samples

What is the t - test for Two Independent Samples?

- test used to determine if the difference in the means between two

samples indicates a statistically significant difference in the means of
the two populations from which the samples were taken.
- Used for small sample sizes.
- Population standard deviations are unknown but are assumed equal.
- Distributions are approximately normal.
- Statistical hypotheses:

Ho: µ1−µ 2=0

H1: µ1−µ 2 ≠ 0

H1: µ1−µ 2 ˃0

H1: µ1−µ 2 ˂0

II. t - test for correlated samples

What is the t-test for correlated samples?

- Is another parametric test applied to one group of samples. It can
be used in the evaluation of a certain program or treatment. Since this is
another parametric test, conditions must be met like the normal
distribution and the use of interval or ratio data.

When do we use the t-test for correlated samples?

- Is applied when the mean before and the mean after are being
compared. The pretest (mean before) is measured, the treatment of the
intervention is applied and then the posttest (mean after) is likewise
measured. Then two means (pretest vs. the posttest) are compared.

Why do we use the t-test for correlated samples?

- Is used to find out if a difference exists between the before and
after means. If there is a difference in favor of the posttest then the
treatment or intervention is effective. However, is there is no significant
difference then the treatment is not effective.

- This is an appropriate test for the evaluation of government

programs. This is used in an experimental design to test the
effectiveness of a certain technique or method or program that had
been developed.