Question

Describe a situation with dependent and independent variables in which you would use a t-test.

Answer 1

Solution:

Dependent variables: Suppose we want to test the effect of new method of teaching on test scores achieved by the students. Here we select a group of students and record their test scores prior to new method of teaching. Then after using the new method of teaching, the test scores of same group of students are recorded. Comparing these test scores (before and after) will help us to figure out whether the new method of teaching is significant or not.So here we have same group of students under consideration and the test would be paired t-test.

Independent variables: Suppose we want to test the compare the test scores of male and female students. We will randomly select a group of male and group of female students. The test scores of both these groups are recorded and compared to see if there is any significant difference between their average score. So here we have two independent groups under consideration and test would be two-sample independent t-test.