Magic of randomness: causality

Learning objectives

  • Recognize and know the elements of a designed randomized experiment.
  • State and apply the Four Principles of Experimental Design.
    • Control sources of variation other than the factors being tested. Make the condi- tions as similar as possible for all treatment groups except for differences among the treatments.
    • Randomize the assignment of participants to treatments.
    • Replicate by applying each treatment to more than one participant.
    • Block the experiment by grouping together participants who are similar in important ways that you cannot control.
  • Work with blinding and control groups.
  • Be alert for possible confounding due to a variable that is not under control affecting the responses differentially.

Checklist