R
R is a free statistical analysis package with extensive community support.
Link with Matlab
There is a File Exchange demonstration; see also the R manual, Chpt 7 Network interfaces, 7.3 DCOM interface. The DCOM connector is on the other-software part of the CRAN mirror; they have a web manual and very helpful WIKI.
Unequal variance t-test
Two-sample t-tests usually assume equal variance between the groups, which is only well-justified in a subset of instances. The unequal variance t-test can be performed in Matlab, SPSS, and should be the default for groups of differing subjects. (
Here is a nice paper.)
Statistical thinking
Rule 1: Statistical Methods Should Enable Data to Answer Scientific Questions
Rule 2: Signals Always Come with Noise
Rule 3: Plan Ahead, Really Ahead
Rule 4: Worry about Data Quality
Rule 5: Statistical Analysis Is More Than a Set of Computations
Rule 6: Keep it Simple
Rule 7: Provide Assessments of Variability
Rule 8: Check Your Assumptions
Rule 9: When Possible, Replicate!
Rule 10: Make Your Analysis Reproducible