Chapter 10: t Tests for Two

Independent Samples

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2
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 Ways to collect two sets of data:
• Independent Measures (Between-Subjects) design:

Group 1 VS. Group 2

• Repeated Measures (Within-subjects) design:

Time 1 VS. Time 2

 Notation for Independent
Samples Design
• Null Hypothesis (H0)
– No difference between group means Group 1 Group 2
– H0: μ1 – μ2 = 0
n1 n2

• Alternative Hypothesis (H1) M1 M2

– There is a difference between groups μ1 μ2

– H1: μ1 – μ2 ≠ 0 SS1 SS2
 Formulas for Independent-
Measures Hypothesis Test
• Single sample t-test:
t= M–μ
sM

• Two sample (independent measures) t-test:

t = (M – M1 2–) M
t =1 (M – (μ
2) 1
– μ2)
S(M – M2)
1
(M1 – M2)
S
 Calculating Estimated Standard
Error
• Single sample t-test:
sM = s2
√n
• Two sample (independent measures) t-test:
S(M1 – M2) = s2 s 2
1
+ 2
√ n1 n2
 Pooled Variance
• Used when sample sizes are different
– Single sample t-test:
s2 = SS
df
– Two sample (independent measures) t-test:
s2 = SS1 + SS2
df1 + df2
 An example of the reason for
pooled variance….
• Equal Sample Sizes:
– Sample 1: n = 6, SS = 50
– Sample 2: n = 6, SS = 30

• Unequal Sample Sizes:

– Sample 1: n = 3, SS = 20
– Sample 2: n = 9, SS = 48
 Computing t-statistic for
Independent Samples

t = (M1 – M2) – (μ1 – μ2)

S(M – M2)
1

t = data – hypothesis
error
 Let’s practice….
• We are testing the effects of orange juice on
mathematical ability. Determine whether there
is a significant difference between the groups in
average math score.
OJ Group No OJ Group
n=10 n=10
M=26 M=18
SS=200 SS=160
Step 1: State Hypotheses and
select alpha level
Hypotheses:
• H0: μ1 – μ2 = 0
• H1: μ1 – μ2 ≠ 0

• α = .05
Step 2: Set Criteria for a Decision
(Critical Region)
a) Find the degrees of freedom
b) Use the t Distribution Table (p. 531) to
find the t-values that define the critical
region
 Step 3: Collect Data and
Compute Sample Statistics
a) Find the pooled variance for the 2 samples

b) Used the pooled variance to compute the

standard error

c) Compute the t statistic

 Step 4: Make a Decision
• Accept or reject the null hypothesis??

-2.101 2.101
 Measuring Effect Size for
Independent Measures
r2 = variability accounted for
total variability

r2 = ___t2___
t2 + df
 Writing it up...
Give the facts:
• The group who drank orange juice scored higher on
the math test (M = 26, SD = 4.71) than the group that
did not drink orange juice (M = 26, SD = 4.71).

State what the facts mean in terms of significance:

• This difference was significant, t(18) = 4.00, α < .05,
r2 = .47.
 More practice with a one-tailed test
• Psychologists predict that girls have higher verbal
scores at age 5 than boys. What value of t would be
necessary to conclude that girls score significantly
higher using a one-tailed test with α = .01?
Girls Boys
n=5n=5
M=83 M=71
SS=200 SS=120
 Think about sample variance…
• How does sample variance influence our t-
statistics and treatment effects (d or r2)
 Independent t Test Assumptions
• Scores in the two groups are independent
(not related)
• Sample data are normally distributed
• Variances of the two groups are about equal
(homogenous)
 One more practice…
We would like to know if people respond more
quickly to red lights or green lights. Determine
whether there is a significant difference between
the groups in reaction time (in milliseconds):
Green Light Reaction Time: 432, 408, 388, 370,
523, 354, 603, 445
Red Light Reaction Time: 452, 429, 391, 368, 546,
352, 592, 478, 679, 483
 Chapter 10 Homework
• Submit the following problems from the
end of Chapter 10:
1, 3, 6, 10, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24
• SHOW YOUR WORK!!!!
• Due at the beginning of class tomorrow!

PSY 230 - ROHLFING