This content is open to everyone — sign in to save your progress, earn points, and unlock module exams.

Topic 3.7 of Data Collection and Analysis Methods

Common Statistical Tests and Choosing the Right One

The independent t-test, paired t-test, one-way ANOVA, chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression -- what each one assumes about your data, and a quick decision path for picking between them.

~35 min total·4 quadrants of structured content

By the end of this topic, you will

Choose the correct statistical test based on how many groups are compared and whether the outcome is continuous or categorical
State the key assumption each common test makes about the data
Apply a chi-square test of independence to a two-group categorical comparison

Quadrant 1 · e-Tutorial

Video lectures and walkthroughs

Quadrant 2 · e-Content

Articles and case studies

research-methodology

Common Statistical Tests and Choosing the Right One

Most tests a security research project will ever need fall into a small set. The choice turns on two questions: how many groups are being compared, and whether the outcome is continuous or categorical.

14 min read

Quadrant 3 · Web Resources

Downloadable material and curated external links

Web resources coming soon.

Quadrant 4 · Self-Assessment

Test your knowledge — earn a certificate on first pass

Assessment coming soon.