Chapter 10 - Experimental Design Vocabulary

Front

Control Group

Back

A group/treatment applied in the default or null group, used as a baseline to compare the effects of the treatment.

Front

Confounding

Back

When the levels of one factor are associated with the levels of another factor in such a way that the effects cannot be separated.

Front

Placebo

Back

A treatment known to have no effect, administered to one group so all groups experience the same conditions.

Front

Random Assignment

Back

Needed in an experiment in order to be valid, usually because experiments consist of volunteers; it helps to eliminate bias.

Front

Placebo Effect

Back

When subjects respond favorably to a treatment that has no effect, often due to their expectations.

Front

Experimental Units

Back

The individuals or items that are subjected to the treatment in an experiment.

Front

Response Variable

Back

The outcome or effect that is measured in an experiment to determine the impact of the treatment.

Front

Factor

Back

A variable that is manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect on the response variable.

Front

Treatment

Back

The specific condition applied to the experimental units in an experiment.

Front

Blindness

Back

A technique used in experiments where subjects do not know whether they are receiving the treatment or a placebo.