Study participants are normally voluntary so if they elect to drop out or withdraw this does not affect the validity of a studyGroup of answer choicesTrueFalse

Answer

The statement is False.

When participants in a study voluntarily drop out or withdraw, it can affect the validity of the study. This is particularly true if the dropout rate is high or if the characteristics of those who drop out differ significantly from those who remain. Such differences can lead to biases and affect the representativeness of the sample, ultimately compromising the generalizability of the study's findings.

In research, especially in randomized controlled trials, maintaining participant retention is crucial to ensure that the outcomes measured reflect the true effects of the intervention being studied. Thus, participant dropout can introduce confounding variables, making it difficult to attribute outcomes solely to the intervention.

Conclusion

In summary, while voluntary participation is fundamental, the withdrawal of participants can indeed impact a study's validity.