What are the two procedures commonly used to minimize extraneous or confounding variables?

Randomization and standardization are fundamental procedures in research methodology aimed at minimizing extraneous or confounding variables, thereby enhancing the validity of a study's results.

Randomization involves assigning participants to different experimental groups in a way that is completely random, ensuring that every individual has an equal chance of being placed in any group. This process helps to distribute any potential confounding variables evenly across the different groups, which reduces bias and allows researchers to attribute any observed effects directly to the independent variable being manipulated.

Standardization refers to keeping all other variables constant across all experimental conditions, except for the independent variable. This means that the procedures, instructions, materials, and conditions are uniformly applied. By controlling these aspects, researchers can ensure that extraneous variables do not influence the outcome of the experiment, which enhances its reliability and validity.

Together, randomization and standardization serve as crucial tools for establishing causal relationships in research by minimizing the impact of confounding factors that could skew the results.