Conclusions

What is t-distribution?

Student’s t-distribution, also known as the t-distribution, is a probability distribution that is used in statistics for making inferences about the population mean when the sample size is small or when the population standard deviation is unknown. It is similar to the standard normal distribution (Z-distribution), but it has heavier tails. Theoretical work on t-distribution was done by W.S. Gosset; he has published his findings under the pen name “Student“. That’s why it is called a Student’s t-test. The t-score represents the number of standard deviations the sample mean is away from the population mean....

When to Use the t-Distribution?

Student’s t Distribution is used when :...

Mathematical Derivation of t-Distribution

The t-distribution has been derived mathematically under the assumption of a normally distributed population and the formula for the probability density function will be like this...

Significance of the t-Distribution

Degrees of Freedom and Tail Heaviness:The t-distribution degrees of freedom influence tail heaviness, with smaller values yielding heavier tails. Higher degrees of freedom make the t-distribution more akin to a standard normal distribution (mean 0, standard deviation 1), shaping its spread.Small Sample Size:The t-distribution is vital for small sample sizes, offering a precise probability distribution for statistical inferences on population parameters, especially the mean. This is crucial when the population standard deviation is unknown and must be estimated from the sample.t-Score Calculation for Inference:In situations where the standard deviation of the population is not known, the t-score (T) is calculated to make inferences about the population mean.The distinction between s and σ (population standard deviation) and the utilization of (n – 1) degrees of freedom delineate the characteristics of the t-distribution.Comparison with Z-Score and Normal Distribution:Unlike the z-score, which employs the population standard deviation, the t-score uses the estimated standard deviation from the sample. This results in a t-distribution with (n – 1) degrees of freedom, emphasizing the t-distribution’s role in handling uncertainty when estimating the population standard deviation, especially in small sample sizes....

Interpretation of t-Distribution

A confidence interval for the mean is a statistical range computed from the data, designed to encompass a plausible “population” mean. This interval is expressed as , t represents a critical value obtained from the t-distribution....

Properties of the t-Distribution

The variable in t-distribution ranges from -∞ to +∞ (-∞ < t < +∞).t- distribution will be symmetric like the normal distribution if the power of t is even in the probability density function(pdf).For large values of ν(i.e. increased sample size n); the t-distribution tends to a standard normal distribution. This implies that for different ν values, the shape of t-distribution also differs.The t-distribution is less peaked than the normal distribution at the center and higher peaked in the tails. From the above diagram, one can observe that the red and green curves are less peaked at the center but higher peaked at the tails than the blue curve.The value of y(peak height) attains highest at μ = 0 as one can observe the same in the above diagram.The mean of the distribution is equal to 0 for ν > 1 where ν = degrees of freedom, otherwise undefined.The median and mode of the distribution is equal to 0.The variance is equal to ν / ν-2 for ν > 2 and ∞ for 2 < ν ≤ 4 otherwise undefined....

t-Distribution Table

t-Distribution table gives the t-value for a different level of significance and different degrees of freedom. The calculated t-value will be compared with the tabulated t-value. For example, if one is performing a student’s t-test and for that performance, he has taken a 5% level of significance and he got or calculated t-value and he has taken his tabulated t-value and if the calculated t-value is higher than the tabulated t-value, in that case, it will say that there is a significant difference between the population mean and the sample means at 5% level of significance and if vice versa then, in that case, it will say that there is no significant difference between the population means and the sample means at 5% level of significance....

t-scores and p-values

t-scores :...

Limitations of Using a T-Distribution

Sensitivity to Departure from Normality: The t-distribution assumes normality in the underlying population. When data deviates significantly from a normal distribution, reliance on the t-distribution may introduce inaccuracies in statistical inferences.Limited Applicability for Large Samples: As sample sizes increase, the t-distribution converges to the normal distribution. Therefore, for sufficiently large samples and known population standard deviation, the normal distribution is more appropriate, and using the t-distribution may not offer additional benefits.Impact of Outliers and Small Sample Sizes: The t-distribution can be sensitive to outliers, and its tails can be influenced by small sample sizes. Outliers may distort results, and in cases where the sample size is very small, the t-distribution may have heavier tails, affecting the accuracy of inferences.Requires Random Sampling: The assumptions underlying the t-distribution, such as random sampling and independence of observations, need to be met for valid results. If these assumptions are violated, the accuracy of inferences drawn from the t-distribution may be compromised....

T- Distribution Applications

Testing for the Hypothesis of the Population Mean:T-distributions are commonly used in hypothesis tests regarding the population mean. This involves assessing whether a sample mean is significantly different from a hypothesized population mean.Testing for the Hypothesis of the Difference Between Two Means:T-tests can be employed to examine if there is a significant difference between the means of two independent samples. This can be done under the assumption of equal variances or when variances are unequal.In scenarios where samples are not independent, such as paired or dependent samples, t-tests can be used to assess the significance of the mean difference between related observations.Testing for the Hypothesis about the Coefficient of Correlation:T-distributions play a role in hypothesis testing related to correlation coefficients. This includes situations where the population correlation coefficient is assumed to be zero (ρ=0) or when testing for a non-zero correlation coefficient (ρ≠0)....

Difference Between T-Distribution and Normal Distribution

T-Distribution Normal Distribution T-Distribution is defined by  its degree of freedom which itself depends upon the sample size  Normal distribution is defined by its mean and standard deviationT- distribution is used when the sample size is smallNormal distribution is used when we have large no data points in the dataset It has a heavier tail than normal distribution which means more data points are away from the mean of the distribution Normal distribution has a lighter tail than T-distribution which means more data points lie near the mean of the distribution We use T-distribution in hypothesis testing when the standard variation of the population is unknown Normal distribution is used when the standard deviation is known T-Distribution has a larger range of critical values as compared to the normal distribution as this distribution has heavier tails Normal distribution has a smaller range as compared to t-distribution...

Conclusions

The t-distribution serves as a vital tool in statistics, particularly when estimating the significance of population parameters with small sample sizes or unknown variations. While sharing the bell-shaped and symmetric characteristics of the normal distribution, the t-distribution distinguishes itself with heavier tails, introducing a higher likelihood of extreme values. Understanding its properties and applications is essential for accurate statistical inference in scenarios where the assumptions of normality and known population standard deviation are not met....