Random assignment is important in grouping participants in a research study because: A. It enables the data to be collected for analysis.
B. It is the only way to group participants.
C. It eliminates variability in the research design.
D. It balances out the differences that might naturally exist between participants.
The correct answer is D. It balances out the differences that might naturally exist between participants.
Random assignment is crucial in research studies because it helps ensure that participants are evenly distributed across different groups. This balancing helps to minimize the influence of variables that could confound the results, like age, gender, or other characteristics, which might affect the outcomes of the study. By randomly assigning participants, researchers can increase the likelihood that any observed effects are due to the treatment or intervention rather than pre-existing differences among participants.