One Sample t-test

Review of Z-test
Used to compare sample mean to a known population, for which you have mu and sigma. Enables you to determine whether difference between sample and population means is due to chance.

Introducing the t-test

Used when is not known and must be estimated using sample standard deviation (s). The t-statistic is a substitute for z whenever is unknown New error term: SM = Estimated standard error Provides an estimate of the average distance between a sample mean and the population mean t-test has its own table of critical values There are different types of t-tests (one sample, independent samples, and dependent samples)

One Sample t-test Formula

One Sample t-test Example

Research Question: Do birds find staring aversive? State Statistical Hypothesis:

H0: plain side = 30 min H1: plain side 30 min

Sample Descriptive Statistics:

M=35, s=9, n=16 Compute standard error of estimate:

sX s n
sX 9 2.25 16

One Sample t-test Example

Set decision Criteria:

two-tailed test (nondirectional) Critical values in t-table based on df = n-1 For our sample, n=16, therefore df=16-1= 15 If =.05, from t-table, tcrit = + 2.131

Compute t-test statistic:

t x sX
t 35 30 2.22 2.25

Make decision: Reject Ho if tobtained > tcrit

For our example, reject Ho because tobtained = 2.22 > tcrit = 2.131

The t-distribution

t test Critical Values versus z test Critical Values

t table

Example Repeated two-tailed (Directional Test)

Research Hypothesis: Birds avoid eyespots. State Statistical Hypothesis:

H0: plain side < 30 min H1: plain side > 30 min

Sample Descriptive Statistics:

M=35, s=9, n=16 Compute standard error of estimate:

sX s n
sX 9 2.25 16

One Sample t-test Example

Set decision Criteria:

one-tailed test (directional) Critical values in t-table based on df = n-1 For our sample, n=16, therefore df=16-1= 15 If =.05, from t-table, tcrit = 1.753

Compute t-test statistic:

t x sX
t 35 30 2.22 2.25

Make decision: Reject Ho if tobtained > tcrit

For our example, reject Ho because tobtained = 2.22 > tcrit = 1.753

Writing-up Test Results in APA Format

Writing-up Test Results in APA Format

Birds spent a significantly greater amount of time on the plain side (M=35) compared to the spotted side (M=25) of the chamber, t(15) = 2.13, p < .05.

What does p<.05 mean?

Assumptions of the t-test

Same as for the z-test:

Independent Observations Normality

For small samples (e.g., if n < 30), violations are a problem and affect the validity of the hypothesis test. But if sample size is sufficiently large (e.g., if n>30),moderate violations are not a big problem.

How big is the effect?

We can use Cohens d to estimate effect size:

x s

35 30 9

.56