Which of the following is a principle of experimental research design?

Correct option is D

A principle of experimental research design is to maximize treatment variance and minimize error variance. This principle ensures that the effects of the experimental manipulation (treatment) are clear and not confounded by random errors.
Information Booster:
1. Experimental Research Design: A methodology that involves manipulating one or more variables to determine their effect on another variable, typically involving control and experimental groups.
2. Treatment Variance: Refers to the variability in the dependent variable that is attributable to the independent variable or treatment. Maximizing this helps in detecting the true effect of the treatment.
3. Error Variance: Refers to the variability in the dependent variable that is not explained by the independent variable. Minimizing this reduces noise in the data and increases the accuracy of the results.
4. Control of Variables: An essential aspect of experimental design, ensuring that other potential confounding variables are controlled to isolate the effect of the treatment.
5. Effective experimental design increases the internal validity of the study, allowing researchers to confidently attribute observed effects to the treatment rather than other factors.
6. This principle is critical in ensuring that the results of an experiment are reliable and can be replicated.
Additional Information:
· Maximizing treatment variance (Option A): Involves ensuring that the experimental manipulation has a strong and measurable impact on the dependent variable.
· Minimizing error variance (Option B): Involves controlling extraneous variables and reducing measurement error to ensure the reliability of results.
· Maximizing error and minimizing treatment variance (Option C): Incorrect as it would obscure the effects of the treatment and increase the likelihood of drawing incorrect conclusions.
· Maximizing treatment and minimizing error variance (Option D): The correct principle, aiming to highlight the effects of the treatment while reducing noise in the data.
Key Points:
· Proper experimental design is essential for isolating the effects of the independent variable and ensuring that results are valid and reliable.
· By maximizing treatment variance and minimizing error variance, researchers can more accurately determine the impact of the treatment.
· This principle is fundamental in all experimental research, across disciplines including psychology, education, and the natural sciences.