Mark B. answered • 11/23/17
Tutor
New to Wyzant
PhD Candidate in Psychology: Experienced Math, Statistics, Tutor
Hello Erica,
Theoretically speaking, the purpose of utilizing a baseline survey to compare characteristics between those in the treatment or control groups, is to ensure that randomization was in fact successful in the study, and in addition, brings to the fore relevant differences between the specific levels of treatment in the study.
However, I am a bit puzzled by the question on some level, and here is why: This practice of comparing characteristics of individuals participating in a study has continually been frowned upon in the literature. The movement to cease doing this as a practice began quite awhile ago - according to the journal article I provide you; forty years ago . In fact, I pulled a journal titled the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity and it reiterates the point I just made to you.
If the professor or teacher is seeking an answer to the question the "traditional" answer is that it ensures randomization was in fact successful in the study.
Randomization - as you know - simply assures that each participant is in a particular group by CHANCE and not CHOICE. The notion behind randomization is to ensure bias in the study does not occur. Which leads right back to the argument against comparing the characteristics of individuals in either the treatment or control groups.
I am going to provide you the link to this journal allowing you to see the argument against this practice but am doing so with the disclaimer that research - especially statistical methodology - is constantly evolving, much like science. What may be important to one researcher (perhaps your Instructor or Professor) may not be as important to another.
I apologize if I have added further confusion to your question but do feel I owe it to you as a professional to provide you ALL information related to your question. Please do let me know whether you understand the points I make above, and whether you do understand. Also, feel free to either message me directly at my Inbox or here with any additional questions you may have.
Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Theoretically speaking, the purpose of utilizing a baseline survey to compare characteristics between those in the treatment or control groups, is to ensure that randomization was in fact successful in the study, and in addition, brings to the fore relevant differences between the specific levels of treatment in the study.
However, I am a bit puzzled by the question on some level, and here is why: This practice of comparing characteristics of individuals participating in a study has continually been frowned upon in the literature. The movement to cease doing this as a practice began quite awhile ago - according to the journal article I provide you; forty years ago . In fact, I pulled a journal titled the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity and it reiterates the point I just made to you.
If the professor or teacher is seeking an answer to the question the "traditional" answer is that it ensures randomization was in fact successful in the study.
Randomization - as you know - simply assures that each participant is in a particular group by CHANCE and not CHOICE. The notion behind randomization is to ensure bias in the study does not occur. Which leads right back to the argument against comparing the characteristics of individuals in either the treatment or control groups.
I am going to provide you the link to this journal allowing you to see the argument against this practice but am doing so with the disclaimer that research - especially statistical methodology - is constantly evolving, much like science. What may be important to one researcher (perhaps your Instructor or Professor) may not be as important to another.
I apologize if I have added further confusion to your question but do feel I owe it to you as a professional to provide you ALL information related to your question. Please do let me know whether you understand the points I make above, and whether you do understand. Also, feel free to either message me directly at my Inbox or here with any additional questions you may have.
Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Here is the link to that journal article to assist you: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4310023/
