computing the test statistic and p-value in minitab express

In the simplest case, the number of degrees of freedom equals your sample size minus the number of parameters you need to estimate. The degrees of freedom are the number of observations in a sample that are free to vary as we estimate statistical parameters. The exact formula depends on the t-test type - check the sections dedicated to each particular test for more details.ĭetermine the degrees of freedom for the t-test: Use a one-tailed t-test if you want to test whether this mean (or difference in means) is greater/less than the pre-set value.įormulas for the test statistic in t-tests include the sample size, as well as its mean and standard deviation. Use a two-tailed t-test if you only care whether the population's mean (or, in the case of two populations, the difference between the populations' means) agrees or disagrees with the pre-set value. These next steps will tell you how to calculate the p-value from t-test or its critical values, and then which decision to make about the null hypothesis. So, you've decided which t-test to perform. The change in blood pressure in patients before and after administering some drug.The change in student test performance before and after taking a course.

In particular, you can use this test to check whether, on average, the treatment has had any effect on the population. This test is sometimes referred to as an independent samples t-test, or an unpaired samples t-test.Ī paired t-test is used to investigate the change in the mean of a population before and after some experimental intervention, based on a paired sample, i.e., when each subject has been measured twice: before and after treatment. The average difference in the results of a math test from students at two different universities.The average difference in weight gain in two groups of people: one group was on a high-carb diet and the other on a high-fat diet.In particular, you can use this test to check whether the two groups are different from one another. The average weight of people from a specific city - is it different from the national average?Ĭhoose the two-sample t-test to check if the difference between the means of two populations is equal to some pre-determined value, when the two samples have been chosen independently of each other.The average volume of a drink sold in 0.33 l cans - is it really equal to 330 ml?.Your choice of t-test depends on whether you are studying one group or two groups:Ĭhoose the one-sample t-test to check if the mean of a population is equal to some pre-set hypothesized value.

Computing the test statistic and p-value in minitab express