There are a variety of situations in statistics that involve comparing group means. Sometimes the population standard deviation is known, and other times it isn't. Sometimes samples are independent, and other times they are paired. In any case, it is important to select the test that is the best fit for the situation and the data.

Create a Study

For this discussion, you will come up with an example of a situation in which two means would need to be compared, and describe which test would be the most appropriate. Develop a main response in which you address the following:

• Describe a possible study that could be conducted to compare two groups means.
• What would the main topic be?
• What groups would be compared?
• What data would be collected?
• Identify the test that would be the best choice to compare the group means.
• Explain why this test is the most appropriate for your example.