block randomization

a method for assigning study participants to experimental conditions in which individuals are arbitrarily divided into subsets or blocks and then some random process is used to place individuals from those blocks into the different conditions. For example, a researcher might divide participants into blocks of 10 and then randomly assign half of the people in each to the control group and half to the experimental group. Block randomization is distinct from blocking in that the block does not have any significance other than as an assignment unit.

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Psychology term of the day

November 23rd 2024

risk factor

a clearly defined behavior or constitutional (e.g., genetic), psychological, environmental, or other characteristic that is associated with an increased possibility or likelihood that a disease or disorder will subsequently develop in an individual. Compare protective factor.