Getting started with SPSS

7 Independent T-Tests

Activity 6

0h 20m

This activity introduces the independent t-test – a powerful test to use when you are comparing two groups or conditions. There are two variants of the t-test:

  • independent t-test;

  • paired samples t-tests.

The independent t-test is used when you have two groups of individuals or cases. For example:

  • male versus female;

  • experimental versus control group.

Data files are set up differently according to which t-test is chosen. In addition there are separate menus in SPSS for each type of t-test. Finally, each t-test will produce different outputs.

The data file used in this activity is based on a study by Montello, Lovelace, Golledge and Self (1999). It looks at gender differences in spatial abilities, including map reading.

The experimental hypothesis for this study would be that:

There is a difference between males and females in spatial reading ability with males performing better in spatial tasks than females.

Hint

Remember that for an independent t-test the data file should have at least two columns – one for the independent variable and one for the dependent variable.

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