CAS PS 211 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Central Tendency, Standard Deviation
15 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
Random assignment is important in an experiment. Unlike correlational studies, which uncover naturally occurring relationships, an experiment manipulates a factor to determine its effect. Whether a remedy is truly effective, enthusiastic users will probably endorse it. To truly determine its efficacy, experimentation is necessary. Participants in these studies are randomly assigned to the research groups and are often blind (uninformed) about what treatment, if any, they are receiving. One group receives a treatment, and the other group receives a placebo. The placebo effect can relieve one"s symptoms by relaxing the body upon assuming a treatment was received. A double-blind procedure is when neither the participants nor the research assistants collecting the data will know which group will receive the treatment. The double-blind procedure is one way to create an experimental group, in which people receive the treatment, and a contrasting control group that does not receive the treatment.
