What is a baseline measure?

What is a baseline measure?

• A. The result established from the control condition when no manipulation of the IV occurs. Allows comparisons to be made.
• B. A variable used to calibrate equipment.
• C. The procedure for randomly assigning participants.
• D. The final measurement after the manipulation.

Answer: (A)

A baseline measure is the result observed before any manipulation of the independent variable, serving as a reference point for what happens without the intervention. It shows the natural level or starting point of the dependent variable, so after you apply the IV you can see how much and in what direction the outcome changes. This makes it possible to attribute observed effects to the manipulation rather than to natural fluctuations or individual differences. In practice, you compare post-manipulation results to this pre-change baseline to assess impact. It’s not about calibrating equipment, the method of random assignment, or the final outcome after the manipulation.

A baseline measure is the result observed before any manipulation of the independent variable, serving as a reference point for what happens without the intervention. It shows the natural level or starting point of the dependent variable, so after you apply the IV you can see how much and in what direction the outcome changes. This makes it possible to attribute observed effects to the manipulation rather than to natural fluctuations or individual differences. In practice, you compare post-manipulation results to this pre-change baseline to assess impact. It’s not about calibrating equipment, the method of random assignment, or the final outcome after the manipulation.