Latin square

a type of within-subjects design in which treatments, denoted by Latin letters, are administered in sequences that are systematically varied such that each treatment occurs equally often in each position of the sequence (first, second, third, etc.). The number of treatments administered must be the same as the number of groups or individual participants receiving them. For example, for an experimental design involving four treatments (A, B, C, and D) and four people, one person might receive Treatment A, then B, then C, and then D; a second person might receive them in sequence B, C, D, and A; a third person in sequence C, D, A, and B; and a fourth person in sequence D, A, B, and C. It is important to note that although Latin squares control for order effects they do not control for carryover effects or practice effects. See also balanced Latin square; Graeco-Latin square.

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

consumer-driven health care

an approach to health care cost containment that lets consumers decide how to spend dollars earmarked for health and mental health care. Instead of providing insurance with a low deductible for employees, an employer might fund a high-deductible insurance policy and a tax-advantaged account such as a health savings account, a health reimbursement account, or another medical payment product that consumers could use to help meet the high deductible. Because consumers can shop for and choose the doctors that they want to see and the procedures that they want done, this type of care is posited to bring competition to the health services market and more control to consumers, although the benefits and effectiveness of this arrangement are being debated.