Which statistical test is used to test the significance of the difference between the means of two dependent samples?

The T-test for dependent means, often referred to as the paired sample T-test, is specifically designed to assess whether there is a significant difference between the means of two related groups or conditions. This statistical test is used when the same subjects are measured under two different conditions, allowing researchers to account for variability between the subjects. The heart of the test is based on the differences between the paired observations, providing insight into the effects of interventions or conditions applied to the same subjects.

In contrast, other tests listed serve different purposes. The T-test for independent means is used for comparing the means of two independent groups, while ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) is applied when comparing means across three or more groups. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test is a non-parametric alternative to the paired T-test used when the data do not meet the assumptions required for a T-test, such as normality. Hence, the choice of the T-test for dependent means is appropriate when working with two dependent samples, confirming why it is the correct answer to the question.