A Step by Step Guide for SPSS and Exercise Studies

Statistical tests 71
Dialog box 65
(i.e., 95% confidence interval). Table 21 presents the descriptive statistics before
and after the training programme.
Although it may sound confusing, this test can also be used for two different
groups of people who are matched on one or more characteristics (e.g., age), and
thus they are no longer independent. Be aware that when using Independent-
Samples T Test groups are not matched on any variables as it is assumed that
they have been randomly selected from the population. For an extensive
discussion of matched pairs, see Vincent (1999).
How to report the test
When you present the results of a paired samples t test you need to report the
mean scores and the standard deviations of the dependent variable (aerobic
capacity) in the two conditions (pre-test/post-test), the t value, its degrees of
freedom (df) and significance level. Example 2 shows how you could report the
results of a t test in a table.
Example 2: Improvements in aerobic capacity after a ten-week training
programme
M (SD) t df
Pre-test aerobic capacity 38.40 (2.07) 7.21** 4
Post-test aerobic capacity 50.80 (3.77)
** p