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Matching

Definition

Matching refers to a technique used in experimental design where subjects are paired based on certain characteristics before being assigned to different treatment groups. This helps ensure that any observed effects can be attributed to treatment rather than individual differences.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing cards with your friend and you want to make sure it's fair. You decide to match cards so that both players have an equal number of high-value cards, low-value cards, etc., before starting. This way, any differences in outcomes can be attributed to skill rather than luck.

Related terms

Control Group: A control group is a group in an experiment that does not receive any treatment or intervention and serves as a baseline for comparison.

Randomization: Randomization involves assigning subjects or treatments randomly to minimize bias and increase validity in experiments.

Confounding Variable: A confounding variable is an extraneous factor that influences both the independent variable and dependent variable, making it difficult to determine the true cause-effect relationship.