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How to Accomplish Randomization in an Experiment

Scientists find experiments useful because they can directly observe the effects of a force or substance on a group of subjects, but occasionally the scientists' biases when they select their subjects interfere with the results. Randomization eliminates these biases by removing the scientists from the decision-making process. Scientists use two types of randomization for experiments: complete randomization and block randomization. Complete randomization chooses subjects randomly, but block randomization allows scientists to divide the subjects before randomization occurs.

Instructions

- 1
  For complete randomization, assign a number to each subject or object of the experiment. Ask someone else to generate a list of random numbers. Choose the subjects or objects associated with these random numbers to create an experiment with completely randomized design.
- 2
  For block randomization, divide your subjects or objects into groups. Once homogeneous groups exist, assign numbers to each subject or object in the group.
- 3
  To complete block randomization, ask a colleague to generate a list of random numbers. Within each group, choose the subjects and object with those numbers. Because each group is randomized, you have and experiment with randomized block design.

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