ANOVA purpose multiple means – UGC NET Question

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used when a researcher wishes to compare the means of three or more groups simultaneously. It partitions total variability into components due to between-group and within-group differences and computes an F-ratio to test the null hypothesis that all group means are equal. If the F-test is significant, it suggests that at least one mean differs from the others. Thus, the technique described in the stem is correctly called analysis of variance.

Option A:
The chi-square test is used mainly for categorical data to test independence or goodness-of-fit, not to compare means of several groups on a quantitative variable. Therefore, it is not the appropriate method here.

Option B:
Correlation analysis measures the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two quantitative variables. It does not directly test differences among multiple group means. So it does not fit the description.

Option C:
Option C, analysis of variance, can handle one-way or multi-factor designs and is fundamental in experimental research with several conditions. Its specific purpose is comparing multiple means, matching the stem exactly and making this option correct.

Option D:
Regression analysis models the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more predictors, focusing on prediction and explanation rather than simple mean comparisons. Although related mathematically to ANOVA, it is not the name of the test described in the question.