Question

In order to a study to be truly experimental, 2 requirements must be met. Name and briefly explain these two requirements with the support of an example.

Answer 1

In order for a study to be classified as a true experiment, there are some criteria which must be satisfied:

The sample groups which are used for the study must be assigned randomly, to remove any bias.

There must be a control group, to test the placebo effect, and only one variable should be manipulated, that is, only one control variable.

For instance, assume that there is a new drug which lowers blood sugar levels. In order to test its effectiveness, there must be two groups of diabetic patients, one which is given the new drug and one which is given the old drug and not the new one.

The control variable here is the blood sugar level, and the control group is the group which does not receive the new medicine.