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random

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Question:

Multiple choice question

Random means by chance, not planned.

For example:

The numbers of the lottery are picked at random - there is no fixed order or system for choosing them. That is why it is so hard to guess the winning numbers.


	planned in advance
	by chance
	not in any planned order
	not systematic

Which words are closest in meaning to random? Choose the 3 correct answers.

Response:

	not in any planned order
	by chance
	not systematic
	planned in advance

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Question:

Multiple choice question

The examples below illustrate the meaning of random.


	guessing when you don't know the answer to a question with 4 choices
	choosing every second person from a list to take part in a survey
	planning the steps of a research study
	numbers chosen in a BINGO game

Which answers are examples of random choices? Choose the 3 correct answers.

Response:

	choosing every second person from a list to take part in a survey
	guessing when you don't know the answer to a question with 4 choices
	numbers chosen in a BINGO game
	planning the steps of a research study

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Question:

Multiple choice question


	without planning in advance.
	by chance.
	systematically.
	in no fixed order.

Which answers below best complete the sentence? Choose the 3 correct answers. If something is done at random, it is done...

Response:

	in no fixed order.
	systematically.
	without planning in advance.
	by chance.

Score 3 of 3

Question:

Multiple choice question

This exercise focuses on the role of random sampling in research.

Researchers who use experiments to test something must use random sampling techniques to choose who will take part in their experiments. This means choosing people entirely randomly - so that each person in the target population has an equal chance of being chosen to take part in the experiment.

Random sampling enables researchers to select a sample that represents the target population. This allows the researchers to generalize: They can say that the results of their research apply not only to the small group of people who took part in the study - their results also apply to the target population.


	You ensure that your sample is not biased towards one ethnic group or religion.
	You can generalize the results of your study with greater confidence.
	You will get the results you want.
	When done properly, randomized control trials produce evidence we can rely on.

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)

The goal of most RCTs is to see if a specific treatment makes a difference to people receiving it. To test this, researchers have to do experiments to compare results: Did people who got the new treatment do better than people who got the old treatment or no treatment at all?

Is it enough to just have groups that get different treatments? No. Each person who participates in the experiment should be selected randomly, and then randomly be placed in either the control group or the experimental group. This will help to eliminate possible additional differences between people in these groups - differences caused by other factors, not by the treatment.

What are the benefits of randomized control trials? Choose the 3 correct answers.

Response:

	You ensure that your sample is not biased towards one ethnic group or religion.
	You will get the results you want.
	You can generalize the results of your study with greater confidence.
	When done properly, randomized control trials produce evidence we can rely on.