The unequal variance t-test is an underused alternative to Student's t-test and the Mann–Whitney U test

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ID: 291332
2006
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Abstract
Often in the study of behavioral ecology, and more widely in science, we require to statistically test whether the central tendencies (mean or median) of 2 groups are different from each other on the basis of samples of the 2 groups. In surveying recent issues of Behavioral Ecology (Volume 16, issues 1–5), I found that, of the 130 papers, 33 (25%) used at least one statistical comparison of this sort. Three different tests were used to make this comparison: Student’s t-test (67 occasions; 26 papers), Mann–Whitney U test (43 occasions; 21 papers), and the t-test for unequal variances (9 occasions; 4 papers). My aim in this forum article is to argue for the greater use of the last of these tests. The numbers just related suggest that this test is not commonly used. In my survey, I was able to identify tests described simply as ‘‘t-tests’’ with confidence as either a Student’s t-test or an unequal variance t-test because the calculation of degrees of freedom from the 2 sample sizes is different for the 2 tests (see below). Hence, the neglect of the unequal variance t-test illustrated above is a real phenomenon and can be explained in several (nonexclusive ways) ways: 1. Authors are unaware that Student’s t-test is unreliable
Reference Key
openalex_W2126552603 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Graeme D. Ruxton
Journal behavioral ecology
Year 2006
DOI
10.1093/beheco/ark016
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/ark016
Keywords Keywords not found

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