What Is Matching In Research?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Matching is

a technique used to avoid confounding in a study design

. In a cohort study this is done by ensuring an equal distribution among exposed and unexposed of the variables believed to be confounding.

What is a matching variable?

One important type of experimental design is a matched-subjects design, also called a matched-group design, which is

when subjects are matched on some variable that might be affecting the dependent variable and then split into two or more groups

.

What is matching in data?

First, what is Data Matching? Basically it is

the ability to identify duplicates in large data sets

. These duplicates could be people with multiple entries in one or many databases. It could also be duplicate items, of any description, in stock systems.

Why do we do matching in research?

Matched sampling leads

to a balanced number of cases and controls across the levels of the selected matching variables

. This balance can reduce the variance in the parameters of interest, which improves statistical efficiency.

What is matching in research psychology?

n.

a procedure for ensuring that participants in different study conditions are comparable at the beginning of the research on one or more key variables

that have the potential to influence results.

Why is data matching used?

Data matching

involves bringing together data from different sources and comparing it

. … This may include information used in, or created by, data-matching processes. Agencies usually match data so that they can identify people for further investigation or action.

What data is required for matching?

First, the data need to be

sorted, or blocked, into similar-sized blocks with the same attribute

. These should be attributes that are unlikely to change, such as names, dates of birth, color, or shape. Then the matching takes place. Matching can be done in many ways.

What is the main purpose of matching?

Matching is a technique used

to avoid confounding in a study design

. In a cohort study this is done by ensuring an equal distribution among exposed and unexposed of the variables believed to be confounding.

What are matching methods?

To work around these issues researchers often employ what are called “matching methods”. This involves

taking observational data, such as data from surveys

, and matching people who have similar characteristics but different treatments.

What is a matching variable in statistics?

Statistical matching can be used when

different data sources contain (different) units with a set of common (background) variables

. These common variables may then be used to match similar units in the data sources to each other.

What is the advantage of matching?

Advantages of matching

Matching is

a useful method to optimize resources in a case control study

. Matching on a factor linked to other factors may automatically control for the confounding role of those factors (e.g. matching on neighborhood may control for socio-economic factors).

What are matching words?

  • akin,
  • alike,
  • analogous,
  • cognate,
  • comparable,
  • connate,
  • correspondent,
  • corresponding,

What is matching in science?

The term matching refers to

the procedure of finding for a sample unit other units in the sample that are closest in terms of observable characteristics

.

What is matching experiment?

Matching is

a statistical technique which is used to evaluate the effect of a treatment by comparing the treated and the non-treated units in

an observational study or quasi-experiment (i.e. when the treatment is not randomly assigned).

Why is matching groups important?

A group of students are split into two different groups. … By using matched groups the researchers can

see how the different conditions were influential

and know that the results were not confounded by the students’ individual differences because they had been evenly distributed across the two groups.

Why do we counterbalance in psychology?

Counterbalancing refers to

the systematic variation of the order of conditions in a study

, which enhances the study’s interval validity. … The goal of counterbalancing is to ensure internal validity by controlling the potential confounds created by sequence and order effects.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.