2.5. Data Analysis
Different statistical procedures were employed to answer the research question as follows: First, a t-test was used to test the significance of the differences among the mean scores of the two groups on the CELT so as to determine the homogeneity of the two groups. Second, a t-test was run to test the significance of the differences among the mean scores of the two groups on the pretest. Third, a t-test was utilized to test the significance of the differences among the mean scores of the two groups on the posttest. Fourth, two t-tests were run to compare the mean scores of the pretest and posttest for each group. Fifth, in order to exclude the individual differences, again the same scores were used. The main focus of this study was to investigate whether the formal instruction of references and conjunctions would affect reading comprehension of ESP students. The statistical procedures exploited are tabulated as follows: