The process of assigning individuals in an experimental study to the experimental or control group by chance. Randomization is required in experimental studies in order to ensure that the groups being studied are similar at the onset of the investigation, thereby minimizing selection bias.
Randomization is often achieved using a random number table to assign participants to the treatment or control group.
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Campbell, D. and J. Stanley. 1963. Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research, Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
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