Introduction to inferential statistics and t-tests (7-11 hours)

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Module overview

The goal of this module is for you to understand what statistical tests do and do not show, what p-values mean, and to be able to conduct a simple statistical test (the t-test). By the end of the module, hopefully you will be able to do the following things:

• Explain what populations, samples, and inferential statistics are;
• Explain what a p-value does and does not mean;
• Recognize which situations a t-test can be used for;
• Recognize when to use an independent or dependent t-test;
• (advanced) Carry out t-tests on real data and make conclusions from the results.

Module instructions

This module includes five tasks, plus one task for advanced completion.

Module activities

1. Introduction to p-values (2 hours)
2. Self-test on how well you understand p-values (1-3 hours)
3. T-test by hand (1 hour)
4. Other types of t-tests (2 hours)
5. Choosing a test (1 hour)
6. Advanced level (2 hours)

by Stephen Politzer-Ahles. Last modified on 2021-05-15. CC-BY-4.0.