Final answer:
A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) is characterized by random assignment of participants to experimental conditions, use of a control group, and attempts to control confounding variables. This approach ensures differences between groups are due to the treatment rather than individual differences or preexisting conditions. The correct option is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The experimental setup is described, where a single group of participants is allocated randomly to experimental conditions with no order effects, is best characterized as a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). In an RCT, the aim is to eliminate confounding variables by assigning subjects randomly to different treatment groups, one of which must act as a control group. The control group often receives a placebo treatment, ensuring that any differences in outcomes between groups are attributable to the treatment effect and not to individual differences or preexisting conditions. Randomization is a crucial element of experimental design, as it helps ensure that group differences are the result of the experimental manipulation of the independent variable and not due to other factors.
- Random assignment of participants to treatment or control groups.
- A control group is used for comparison.
- Control of confounding variables to isolate the effect of the independent variable.
- Statistical analysis to determine the significance of results.
Random assignment is the process by which participants are placed in a study's groups randomly, to neutralize the effects of preexisting differences among subjects. This technique helps researchers to make causal inferences from their experimental findings. When sufficient numbers of participants are included, random assignment enables the assumption that observed differences are likely a result of the treatments being tested.