What does the t-test compare in statistical analysis?

The t-test is a statistical method specifically designed to compare the means of two groups to determine if there is a statistically significant difference between them. This assessment can be applied to independent data sets, where the samples come from different populations.

By focusing on the means, the t-test evaluates whether any observed difference is larger than would be expected due to random chance alone. It is commonly used in various fields, including psychology, medicine, and social sciences, to analyze experimental results, survey data, and other empirical observations. The t-test assumes that the data follow a normal distribution, especially for smaller sample sizes, and assesses whether the means of the groups differ significantly, thus providing insight into the effectiveness of interventions or differences between groups under study.