Final answer:
To compare means of parametric data between 2 groups, you can use either independent groups or matched pairs. The parameter tested using matched pairs is the population mean, while the parameters tested using independent groups can be either population means or population proportions.
Step-by-step explanation:
To compare means of parametric data between 2 groups, you can use either independent groups or matched pairs depending on the nature of your data. Independent groups involve two samples that are independent from each other, while matched pairs involve dependent samples. The parameter tested using matched pairs is the population mean, while the parameters tested using independent groups can be either population means or population proportions.
For independent groups, you can use a t-test to compare the means. This test assumes that the populations have equal variances. On the other hand, for matched pairs, you can use a paired t-test to compare the means. This test compares the differences between paired observations.
It is important to find the mean of each group when analyzing the data because the mean represents the average value of the data points in that group. By comparing the means of the two groups, you can understand the difference in the central tendency between the two populations.