The math department recently purchased new learning software for their freshman math classes. The instructors want to use the learning software instead of a textbook. So they decide to study the effectiveness of the software. First they test the skills and concept mastery for a number of the freshman math students. Then they randomly divide the students into two groups. One group uses the learning software for a particular lesson and the other group uses the regular textbook. Then the instructors retest all of the students and compare the improvement in the skills and concept mastery for the two groups. what is the purpose of random assignment in this experiment?

The answer about the importance of random selection is recorded in the explanation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of the random selection of students in two groups is to determine the possible skills that they can develop in the use of the software in a certain time, it could happen that students who stand out for good grades in the area of mathematics do not have good skills in computer science or systems management, as it could happen that students with few skills in mathematics through this tool can clearly understand concepts and develop the exercises with an understanding and ease that perhaps they would not achieve with a textbook.

Random selection allows an impartial research study to be carried out, revealing essential information for mathematics teachers, making it possible to assess how feasible the use of this new software tool is.