What is a post-test in experimental research?

A post-test in experimental research refers to a follow-up measurement taken after the treatment. This is a critical component in assessing the effects of the experimental intervention. By administering a post-test, researchers can determine whether the treatment had a significant impact on the participants compared to any pre-existing conditions measured before the intervention.

The purpose of conducting a post-test is to evaluate the outcome of the experimental treatment, allowing researchers to analyze changes or differences resulting from the treatment. This can inform conclusions about the effectiveness of the intervention and contribute to the overall validity of the research.

In this context, while a pre-test (before the treatment) and assessments of participants' backgrounds are relevant to the study, they do not fall under the definition of a post-test. Furthermore, participant selection methods are crucial for establishing a valid sample but do not pertain to the measurement phase of the experiment. Thus, the definition of a post-test is specifically confirmed through its role as a follow-up measurement post-treatment, validating option B as the correct answer.