A clinical researcher wants to investigate the efficacy of a new mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on reducing anxiety levels. To control for individual differences, the researcher administers a standardized anxiety questionnaire to 30 participants. Based on these baseline scores, the two participants with the highest anxiety scores are paired together, the next two highest are paired together, and so on, until 15 pairs are formed. For each pair, one participant is randomly assigned to undergo the MBCT programme, while the other is assigned to a standard relaxation group. After 8 weeks, their anxiety levels are re-assessed.
Identify the experimental design used in this study.
Independent groups
Repeated measures
Matched pairs
Counterbalanced design
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