Psychology Purpose of Random Assignment

Question :

What is the purpose of random assignment to groups? What is the purpose of random assignment to groups?

Define theory and explain its function. How does theory relate to the practice of psychology?

Answer :

The independent variable is the level of distraction while the dependent variable is the test of visual memory. The purpose of random assignment to the group is to ensure that any difference within as well as between the groups is not systematic at the outset of the experiment. So, any difference between groups can be more effectively and confidently attributed to the experimental treatment. 

Theory can be defined as a set organized principle or expected belief that guides as well as explain the analysis in the most efficient way. It is a set of ideas that are formed to explain something. There are different functions of theory. One of the important functions of the theory is to describe something in the most efficient way so that everyone can easily understand what is being said. Apart from this, the theory also explains as well as predict behavior. Theory significantly relates to the practice of psychology because both try to predict and explain behavior. 

The hypothesis can be defined as precise as well as a testable statement of what is predicted by the researcher about the outcome of the study. It is a statement that is to be tested in order to justify whether the statement would be rejected or not. For example, consumer buying behavior is determined by the information available about the product.

The content of a well-written informed consent form must talk about the nature of the study and the level of risk to the participants. It is important to obtain informed consent because it provides sufficient and detailed information on the study and participants can make rational decisions to participate in the study. Three principles outlined by the Belmont Report are respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. While taking informed consent from minor, the research must consider the ability of the minor to provide consent and the minor is not able to provide consent, the guardian should be contacted for the same. 

The function of an institutional review board is to protect the rights as well as the welfare of human research subjects. It ensures that required and sufficient steps are being taken in advance to protect the rights as well as the welfare of human participants as subjects in the study.

The operational definition of a variable is a particular way in which the variable is measured in the study. An operational definition is a statement that describes how to measure a given variable. It is very difficult to define a sense of humor operationally. However, it can be defined as a statement or the way of communication that fills joy in the mind of people or make them laugh. 

Reliability can be defined as the consistency of a measuring test or a research study. Reliability refers to the consistency of getting the same result across time, across items, as well as across researchers. In the simple word, reliability is getting similar results given dependent and independent variables, and even if the study is conducted in a different timeframe by different researchers. There are two types of reliability such as internal reliability and external reliability.

Scales of measurement in research are the different ways in which the researcher measures the variables or the result of the study. These are the ways in which variables are defined as well as grouped into various categories. There are different scales of measurement such as nominal, ordinal, interval, as well as a ratio. Each scale of measurement has a particular property that determines its various use.

Construct validity is one of the ways that is used by the researcher to test the validity of a test. It is commonly used in psychology as well as social sciences. It can be defined as a degree to which a test measures what it claims. On the other hand, internal validity is referred to the structure of a research study along with its variable. External validity can be defined as the universalness of the result of the study. It defines how universal is the result of a study.

Correlation simply represents the relationship between two variables or two things. For example, Action A is related to Action B. But it does not describe whether action A is affecting action B or vice-versa. On the other hand, causation represents the relationship between two variables and also shows which action leads to a particular outcome. For example, action A causes outcome B.  

References 

Saldaña, J., & Omasta, M. (2016). Qualitative research: Analyzing life. Sage Publications.