Question

The math department recently purchased new learning software for their freshman math classes. The instructors want to use the learning software instead of a textbook. So they decide to study the effectiveness of the software. First they test the skills and concept mastery for a number of the freshman math students. Then they randomly divide the students into two groups. One group uses the learning software for a particular lesson and the other group uses the regular textbook. Then the instructors retest all of the students and compare the improvement in the skills and concept mastery for the two groups. What is the purpose of random assignment in this experiment? Check all that apply.

Answer 1

Random assignment in this experiment ensures that the two groups are statistically equivalent and eliminates potential systematic differences. This allows any differences observed in the posttest to be attributed to the independent variable.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of random assignment in this experiment is to ensure that the two groups, one using the learning software and the other using the regular textbook, are statistically equivalent before the experiment begins.

Random assignment means that all participants have an equal chance of being assigned to either group.

This helps to eliminate any potential systematic differences between the groups so that any differences observed in the posttest can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable, in this case, the learning software.