paired sample

any research sample in which each participant is matched on a particular variable to a participant in a second sample. This helps ensure that any differences on an outcome variable are not due to differences between participants on the matching variables. A simple example of a paired sample is a pretest–posttest design, in which a variable is measured before and after an intervention; in this case, the participant is matched to himself or herself. More frequently, paired samples are achieved by matching individuals on personal characteristics, such as age and gender. See matched-pairs design.

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Psychology term of the day

November 22nd 2024

FACS

acronym for Facial Action Coding System.