| Article ID: | iaor201522355 |
| Volume: | 36 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Start Page Number: | 13 |
| End Page Number: | 20 |
| Publication Date: | Mar 2014 |
| Journal: | Teaching Statistics |
| Authors: | Wagler Amy, Wagler Ron |
| Keywords: | statistics: experiment |
Understanding the roles of random selection and random assignment in experimental design is a central learning objective in most introductory statistics courses. This article describes an activity, appropriate for a high school or introductory statistics course, designed to teach the concepts, values and pitfalls of random selection and assignment using the not‐easily‐forgotten Madagascar hissing cockroach. Evidence is summarized demonstrating conceptual gains for students performing the Randomizing Roaches activity, and follow‐up activities are suggested.