What is the key component of an experimental study that provides for causal explanation?
A) The comparison of a treatment to control group.
B) Random assignment to a treatment and control group.
C) Random sampling of a generalizable population.
D) Control settings with stronger validity and reliability.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Random assignment to a treatment and control group is the key component of an experimental study that provides for causal explanation. This is because it allows the researcher to control for confounding variables and isolate the impact of the treatment on the outcome variable. By randomly assigning participants to each group, the groups should be similar in all respects except for their exposure to the treatment, making it more likely that any observed differences between the groups are due to the treatment itself.

What Is the Key Component of an Experimental Study That