In a matched-subjects design, what is the arrangement?

In a matched-subjects design, what is the arrangement?

• A. Two independent samples compared with a t-test.
• B. One sample measured twice but not matched.
• C. Each individual in one sample is matched with an individual in the other sample to be equivalent.
• D. A factorial design with crossing factors.

Answer: (C)

In a matched-subjects design, subjects are paired so that each person in one group has a counterpart in the other group who is similar on relevant characteristics. This pairing makes the groups more comparable and allows you to compare outcomes within each pair, reducing extraneous variability and increasing statistical power. That arrangement—each individual in one sample matched with an individual in the other sample to be equivalent—is exactly what defines a matched-subjects design. For context, two independent samples with a t-test involve completely separate groups with no pairing; measuring one sample twice without matching reflects a repeated-measures or within-subjects design; and a factorial design with crossed factors involves multiple factors and their interactions rather than subject-by-subject matching.

In a matched-subjects design, subjects are paired so that each person in one group has a counterpart in the other group who is similar on relevant characteristics. This pairing makes the groups more comparable and allows you to compare outcomes within each pair, reducing extraneous variability and increasing statistical power. That arrangement—each individual in one sample matched with an individual in the other sample to be equivalent—is exactly what defines a matched-subjects design.

For context, two independent samples with a t-test involve completely separate groups with no pairing; measuring one sample twice without matching reflects a repeated-measures or within-subjects design; and a factorial design with crossed factors involves multiple factors and their interactions rather than subject-by-subject matching.