Fighting cancer with raspberries: demonstrating the value of random assignment

Abstract

This webinar will describe a computer lab activity using the Flash-based applet at www.causeweb.org/mouse_experiment to teach key principles regarding the value of random assignment:

• how it helps to eliminate bias when compared with a haphazard assignment process,
• how it leads to a consistent pattern of results when repeated, and
• how it makes the question of statistical significance interesting since differences between groups are either from treatment or by the luck of the draw.

In this webinar, the activity will be demonstrated along with a discussion of goals, context, background materials, class handouts, and assessments.