In what type of test is the variable of interest the difference between the values of the observations rather than the observations themselves?
A) a test for the equality of variances from two independent populations
B) a test for the difference between the means of two related populations
C) a test for the difference between the means of two independent populations
D) all of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The variable of interest in a test for the difference between the means of two related populations (also known as a paired or dependent samples t-test) is the difference between the values of the related observations. This is because the test compares the means of the paired differences, rather than the individual observations themselves. Option A is incorrect because a test for the equality of variances compares the variances (or standard deviations) of two populations, not their means or differences in means. Option C is incorrect because a test for the difference between the means of two independent populations (also known as an independent samples t-test) compares the means of two separate groups, but not their differences in values. Thus, the correct answer is B.

In What Type of Test Is the Variable of Interest