Random assignment to experimental and control groups should reduce the threats to _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Random assignment to experimental and control groups should reduce the threat of maturation, which is the natural changes that occur in the participants over time. This is because both groups are exposed to the same conditions, and any changes that occur are likely due to the manipulation of the independent variable. Random assignment does not necessarily reduce the threat of instrumentation (systematic changes in measurement), generalizability (ability to apply findings to other populations), or small sample sizes (limited number of participants).

Random Assignment to Experimental and Control Groups Should Reduce the Threats