What is an ANOVA test?
An ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), sometimes called an F test, is closely related to the t test. The major difference is that, where the t test measures the difference between the means of two groups, an ANOVA tests the difference between the means of two or more groups. A one-way ANOVA, or single factor ANOVA, tests differences between groups that are only classified on one independent variable. For example, ANOVA is appropriate when testing gene expression between groups such as those that have been exposed to low-dose and high-dose levels of a contaminant, and the controls.
