What is the difference between natural group design and matched group design?

Answer 1

Natural group designs: A type of independent groups design in which the conditions represent the selected levels of a naturally occurring independent variable, for example, the individual differences of variable age. Researchers use natural groups designs to meet the first two objectives of the scientific method: description and prediction.

· Individual differences (or subject variables) are selected rather than manipulated; represents a type of correlational research in which researches look for covariations between natural groups variables and dependent variables;

· Causal inferences cannot be made regarding the effects of natural groups variables because plausible alternative explanations for group differences exist.

Matched group designs:A type of independent groups design in which the researcher forms comparable groups by matching subjects on a pretest task and then randomly assigns the members of these matched sets of subjects to the conditions of the experiment. Matched group designs are a good alternative when neither the random groups design nor the repeated measures design can be used effectively.

Answer 2

Natural group design involves comparing groups that naturally exist, such as age groups or gender, while matched group design involves creating pairs of similar individuals and assigning them to different groups. Natural group design relies on pre-existing groupings, while matched group design aims to create equivalent groups by matching individuals based on relevant characteristics.