Question

List two ways to create equal groups.

Answer 1

Techniques that are employed to ensure that differences between participant groups in a study are more or less equal are:

1. Random assignment: Random assignment of participants rests on the assumption that differences that may exist between participants would get evenly distributed across the groups. Random assignment works well only when the sample size is large.

2. Matching: in this technique, participants are matched with other participants to create pairs, based on certain criteria established by the researcher. After pairs are created, they are separated into two different groups. Since they are matched on their characteristics, the groups are assumed to be equal.