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Ch-17 T-Test Notes

The document provides an overview of the Student’s t-test, a statistical method used to determine if there is a significant difference between the means of two samples. It outlines the null and alternative hypotheses, the steps to calculate the t-value, and the interpretation of results based on the critical t-value and p-value. The standard p-value used in biology is 0.05, indicating a 5% chance of incorrectly concluding a significant difference when none exists.

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SHAMITHA S
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13 views4 pages

Ch-17 T-Test Notes

The document provides an overview of the Student’s t-test, a statistical method used to determine if there is a significant difference between the means of two samples. It outlines the null and alternative hypotheses, the steps to calculate the t-value, and the interpretation of results based on the critical t-value and p-value. The standard p-value used in biology is 0.05, indicating a 5% chance of incorrectly concluding a significant difference when none exists.

Uploaded by

SHAMITHA S
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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9700 A-level paper-4/5 Notes

On
t-test
The Student’s t-test is a statistical test that compares the mean and standard deviation of
two samples to see if there is a significant difference between them. In an experiment, a
t-test might be used to calculate whether or not differences seen between the control and
each experimental group are a factor of the manipulated variable or simply the result of
chance.
The T-test is a test of a statistical significant difference between two groups. A "significant
difference" means that the results that are seen are most likely not due to chance or
sampling error. In any experiment or observation that involves sampling from a population,
there is always the possibility that an observed effect would have occurred due to sampling
error alone. But if the result is "significant," then the investigator may conclude that the
observed effect actually reflects the characteristics of the population rather than just
sampling error or chance. ​
​
In any significance test, there are two possible hypotheses:
Null Hypothesis:​ Alternative Hypothesis:​
"There is not a significant difference "There is a significant difference
between the two groups; any between the two groups; the observed
observed differences may be due to differences are most likely not due to
chance and sampling error."​ chance or sampling error."​
​ ​
For example: For example:
●​ There is no significant ●​ There is a significant difference
difference between the between the control and
control and treatment group treatment group enzyme
enzyme activity; the activity; the difference seen in
difference we see in the the means of the two groups is
means of the two mostly likely not due to chance
groups may be due to or sampling error.
chance and sampling error. ●​ There is a significant difference
●​ There is no significant between the blood pressure
difference between the before and after treatment; the
blood pressure before and difference we see in the means
after treatment; the of the two groups is mostly likely
difference we see in the not due to chance or sampling
means of the two error.
groups may be due to
chance and sampling error.
​ ​

How to Calculate T:

​
Where:
●​ x1 is the mean of sample 1
●​ s1 is the standard deviation of sample 1
●​ n1 is the sample size of sample 1
●​ x2 is the mean of sample 2
●​ s2 is the standard deviation of sample 2
●​ n2 is the sample size in sample 2
If you want to calculate your own t-value, follow these steps:​

1.​ Calculate the mean (X) of each sample


2.​ Find the absolute value of the difference between the means
3.​ Calculate the standard deviation for each sample

Where:
X = a single sample

=mean of the samples


n = number of samples
4.​ Square the standard deviation for each sample
5.​ Divide each squared standard deviation by the sample size of that group.
6.​ Add these two values
7.​ Take the square root of the number to find the "standard error of the difference.
8.​ Divide the difference in the means (step 2) by the standard error of the difference
(step 7). The answer is your "calculated T-value."
9.​ Determine the degrees of freedom (df) for the test. In the t-test, the degrees of
freedom is the sum of the sample sizes of both groups minus 2.
10.​Determine the “Critical T-value” in a table by triangulating your DF and the “p-value”
of 0.05.
11.​Draw your conclusion: ​
​
●​ If your calculated t-value is greater than the critical T-value from the table,
you can conclude that the difference between the means for the two
groups is significantly different. We reject the null hypothesis and conclude
that the alternative hypothesis is correct.

●​ If your calculated t value is lower than the critical T-value from the table,
you can conclude that the difference between the means for the two
groups is NOT significantly different. We accept the null hypothesis.

A p-value is the probability of concluding there is a significant difference between the


groups’ results when the null hypothesis is true (meaning, the probability of making the
WRONG conclusion). In biology, we use a standard “p-value” of 0.05. This means that five
times out of a hundred you would find a statistically significant difference between the
means even if there was none

Prepared by
Dr. Seeju Shamsudheen

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