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How to Read Levene’s Test in SPSS Independent-Samples t Tests

Levene test checks whether group variances can be treated as equal and affects which SPSS t-test row to read.

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Problem

A common mistake is always reading the first SPSS row even when Levene test is significant.

Who should use this

Use this when writing research reports or assignments from SPSS independent-samples t-test output.

Formula and concept

Rule of thumb: Levene p >= .05 -> equal variances assumed; Levene p < .05 -> equal variances not assumed.

Levene test has the null hypothesis that variances are equal. If p >= .05, read Equal variances assumed. If p < .05, read Equal variances not assumed.

Levene test is not the mean-difference test. The group difference is interpreted from the matching t, df, p, and confidence interval row.

This page helps with calculation and reporting, but users should still confirm their research design, assumptions, and statistical interpretation.

Step by step

  1. Find Levene’s Test for Equality of Variances in the SPSS table.
  2. Read the Sig. value and compare it with .05.
  3. If p >= .05, use Equal variances assumed.
  4. If p < .05, use Equal variances not assumed and copy that row’s t, df, and p.

Worked example

Levene F = 6.21, p = .015. Because p < .05, use the Equal variances not assumed row. If that row has t = 2.48, df = 37.62, p = .018, those are the values to report.

Common mistakes

  • Treating the Levene p value as the mean-difference p value.
  • Using the first row after Levene is significant.
  • Reporting only p without t, df, or effect size.
  • Forgetting to confirm the design is really independent-samples.

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FAQ

What if Levene p equals .05?
Many rules use p < .05 as significant. Follow your course or journal rule and state the criterion clearly.
Does significant Levene mean group means differ?
No. It concerns variances, not means.
Can df be a decimal in the second row?
Yes. Welch correction often produces decimal degrees of freedom.
Do paired t tests use Levene?
Usually no. Levene is mainly for independent group variance checks.

Next step

Use the SPSS interpreter to choose the correct row, then generate an APA 7 sentence.

Graduate Statistics Report Toolkit This workflow helps graduate students turn statistical output into a checkable report draft: confirm descriptive statistics and test type, inspect assumptions, read SPSS output, generate an APA 7 sentence, and revise it manually.