Random assignment is essential to establishing causality because it
A) permits researchers to verify that they have a diverse and representative sample of participants.
B) reduces the possibility that individual characteristics of the participants produced the observed results.
C) increases the external validity of the experiment.
D) allows researchers to determine whether or not their operational definitions reflect the variables of interest.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Random assignment helps to reduce the possibility that individual characteristics of the participants produced the observed results. This is important because it allows researchers to establish that any observed effects are due to the independent variable and not to other variables such as individual differences among participants.

Random Assignment Is Essential to Establishing Causality Because It