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Randomized Block Design

Definition

Randomized block design is a method used in experimental design where subjects or items are divided into homogeneous groups called blocks. Within each block, treatments are randomly assigned to minimize the effect of confounding variables.

Analogy

Imagine organizing a cooking competition with different chefs. Instead of having them cook all dishes at once, you divide them into groups based on their expertise (e.g., Italian cuisine, baking). Then, within each group, you randomly assign the dishes they will prepare to ensure fairness and eliminate any potential bias.

Related terms

Factorial Design: Factorial design is an experimental design that involves studying the effects of multiple factors simultaneously. It allows researchers to investigate how different factors interact with each other.

Control Group: A control group is a group in an experiment that does not receive any treatment or intervention. It serves as a baseline for comparison against the groups receiving treatments.

Blocking Variable: A blocking variable is a characteristic or factor that is used to create blocks in randomized block designs. It helps reduce variability caused by confounding variables by ensuring similar conditions within each block.