UNDERSTANDING THE DEPENDENT-SAMPLES t TEST

A dependent-samples t test (a.k.a. matched or paired-samples, matched-pairs, samples, or subjects, simple repeated-measures or within-groups, or correlated groups) assesses whether the mean difference between paired/matched observations is significantly different from zero. That is, the dependent-samples t test procedure evaluates whether there is a significant difference between the means of the two variables (test occasions or events). This design is also referred to as a correlated groups design because the participants in the groups are not independently assigned. The participants are either the same individuals tested (assessed) on two occasions or under two conditions on one measure, or there are two groups of participants that are matched (paired) on one or more characteristics (e.g., IQ, age, gender, etc.) and tested on one measure.