Baseline measure is the performance expected when no level of the independent variable is applied. Which option best reflects this concept?

Baseline measure is the performance expected when no level of the independent variable is applied. Which option best reflects this concept?

• A. Untreated participants
• B. Treated participants
• C. Randomized participants
• D. Population norms

Answer: (A)

Baseline measure is the starting point for performance when no level of the independent variable is applied. Untreated participants best reflect this because they have not received the intervention, representing the natural or pre-treatment level of performance. Treated participants have the intervention, so their performance reflects the effect of the independent variable. Randomized participants describe how individuals are assigned to groups, not the baseline state. Population norms are external reference values from a broader population, not the study’s own baseline.

Baseline measure is the starting point for performance when no level of the independent variable is applied. Untreated participants best reflect this because they have not received the intervention, representing the natural or pre-treatment level of performance.

Treated participants have the intervention, so their performance reflects the effect of the independent variable. Randomized participants describe how individuals are assigned to groups, not the baseline state. Population norms are external reference values from a broader population, not the study’s own baseline.