Prob Stats Unit 1 Test definitions

Simple Random Sample (SRS)

: A sample chosen from a population where every individual has an equal chance of being selected.

Observational Study

: Researchers observe and collect data without influencing the participants or the outcome in any way.

Randomized Experiment: A study

where participants are randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a control group. This is the gold standard for determining cause and effect.

Block Experiment (or Randomized Block Design)

: Participants are first divided into similar subgroups (blocks), and then treatments are randomly assigned within each block.

Matched Pairs Experiment

: A special type of block experiment with only two treatment conditions. Each "pair" of participants is matched based on similarities, with one member of the pair receiving each treatment.

Randomization:

Using chance, like a coin flip, to assign people to different study groups. This makes sure the groups are similar and removes bias from who is in each group.

Control Group

: The group in a study that does not get the new treatment being tested. Their results are compared to the group that does get the treatment to see if the treatment works.

Placebo

: A fake treatment, like a sugar pill, given to the control group. It looks identical to the real treatment but has no active ingredient. This helps measure the "placebo effect," where a person's belief in a treatment can make them feel better.

Binding

: A method used to prevent study participants, and sometimes the researchers, from knowing who is receiving the real treatment and who is receiving the placebo. This prevents expectations from influencing the results.