Random assignment is a fundamental technique in experimental research that ensures each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group, thereby minimizing selection bias and enhancing the validity of causal inferences. This process helps to evenly distribute potential confounding variables across treatment groups, ensuring that observed effects are due to the treatment itself rather than pre-existing differences between groups.

Random Assignment

Random assignment

experimental research

Selection bias occurs when the sample collected is not representative of the population intended to be analyzed, leading to skewed or invalid results. This bias can significantly affect the validity of research findings and can arise from various sources, such as non-random sampling, attrition, or self-selection of participants.

selection bias

validity of causal inferences

Confounding variables are extraneous variables that correlate with both the independent and dependent variables, potentially leading to a false inference about the relationship between them. Properly identifying and controlling for confounders is crucial in research to ensure that the observed effects are genuinely due to the independent variable and not influenced by these hidden factors.

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