In a between-subjects experiment, when the process of assigning participants to the treatment conditions produces groups with different characteristics, the ____ of the study is threatened.
A) internal validity
B) external validity
C) reliability
D) accuracy

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The process of assigning participants to different treatment conditions in a between-subjects experiment is known as randomization, which ensures that researchers are not systematically assigning participants that share certain characteristics to any particular condition. This helps to control for potential confounding variables and increases the internal validity of the study. If groups are not properly randomized and have different characteristics, then the internal validity of the study is threatened because it becomes difficult to determine whether differences between the treatment groups are due to the treatment itself or to pre-existing group differences. External validity refers to the generalizability of the findings to individuals or populations other than those studied, while reliability refers to the consistency or reproducibility of the results. Accuracy is not a term typically used in discussing experimental design.

In a Between-Subjects Experiment, When the Process of Assigning Participants