The independent T Test is used to compare the means of a numerical variable between two independent samples (groups)

Independent Variable

Dependent Variable

One Categorical variable with two levels (groups)

One numerical variable

Is the mean BMI different between males and females?

Independent Variable

Dependent Variable

Gender (male and female)

BMI (Body Mass Index)

Male

BMI
Female

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The sample is drawn randomly from the population of interest.

2. Independent sample: sample should appear in only one group and these groups are unrelated. 3. The variable of interest is normally distributed in each population. 4. Homogeneity of variance: the groups should come from the population with equal variance. Levenes test is used to check for equality of variance.

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Put dependent variable into Put independent variable into

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Click Analyze >> Compare Means >> IndependentSamples T Test

Put dependent variable into Test Variable(s) box Put Independent variable into Grouping Variable box

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Put the coded values used for each group that you want to compare. In this data set, Male is labelled as 1 Female is labelled as 2

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This above table shows descriptive statistics. The mean (SD) BMI of male is 23.1 (3.5) kg/m2. The mean BMI (SD) of girl is 24.4 (4.0) kg/m2. From this table, we know that female BMI is higher than male BMI but we are not sure whether the difference is significant or not.

To assess whether you should use the statistics for equal or non equal variances, use the significant level associated with the value under the heading, Levenes Test for Equality of variances. If p> 0.05 in Levenes test you should use the statistics in the row labelled equal variances assumed or homogenous variances (use the upper line) If p < 0.05 in Levenes test you should use the statistics in the row

labelled equal variances not assumed or heterogeneous variances

(use the lower line)

95% CI contains zero and thus p value is not significant

In the table, p value of Levenes test is not significant, indicating the variance of the two groups, males and females, is equal. Therefore, you should look at the p value of t test in the upper row labelled equal variances assumed.

Table : Comparison of mean BMI between males and females Mean (SD) BMI (kg/m2) Boys 23.1 (3.5) Girls 24.4 (4.0) t statistic (df) -1.929 (118)

Variable BMI

P-value* 0.056

*Independent t test