Case Study

Explain why the researcher cannot use the coin-flip method for this specific study, and describe what alternative computer-based procedure they should use to assign participants to the three conditions.

Case context: A research group is planning a study to compare the effects of three different cognitive training programs (Memory, Attention, and Problem Solving) on cognitive performance. The lead researcher wants to use simple random assignment to assign 90 participants to these three conditions, but a junior assistant suggests flipping a coin for each participant.

Question: Explain why the researcher cannot use the coin-flip method for this specific study, and describe what alternative computer-based procedure they should use to assign participants to the three conditions.

Sample answer: The researcher cannot use the coin-flip method because it only has two outcomes (heads and tails), which can assign participants to only two conditions, whereas this study has three conditions. Instead, they should use a computer to generate a random integer between 11 and 33 for each participant, placing them into the corresponding training group (e.g., 11 for Memory, 22 for Attention, and 33 for Problem Solving).

Key points:

  • A coin flip is limited to two conditions (heads/tails).
  • A computer is used to generate a random integer between 11 and 33.
  • Each participant is placed into the group corresponding to their generated integer.

Rubric: The response must explain that a coin flip only supports two conditions. It must also detail the alternative of generating a random integer from 11 to 33 using a computer and mapping those integers to the three experimental conditions.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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