Fundamentals of Experimental Design Quiz

Randomization helps minimize bias and ensure equal distribution of variables.

Control groups allow comparison against the experimental group, isolating the effect of the treatment.

Pilot studies assess the practicality and potential issues of conducting the main experiment.

Independent variables are controlled and manipulated by the researcher, whereas dependent variables are observed and measured in response to changes in the independent variable.

The t-test compares means between two groups, assessing if their difference is significant.

Factorial designs analyze the effects of multiple independent variables simultaneously.

Blinding reduces bias by keeping participants unaware of the treatment they're receiving.

Participant bias refers to systematic differences between groups, not internal validity threats.

A 2x2 factorial design has four treatment conditions formed by combinations of two levels of two independent variables.

Type I error occurs when the null hypothesis is incorrectly rejected, suggesting an effect that doesn't exist.

Within-subjects designs use the same participants for all conditions, reducing the required number of participants.

Counterbalancing ensures that the order in which experimental conditions are presented doesn't influence the results.

Stratified random sampling ensures that subgroups within the population are proportionally represented in the sample, enhancing generalizability of results.

Internal validity focuses on the accuracy of conclusions within the study, whereas external validity considers the generalizability of findings to other populations, settings, or conditions.