Cluster Randomized Solomon Four-Group Design

The cluster randomized Solomon four-group design combines cluster randomization — assigning intact groups such as schools, clinics, or communities to conditions — with the Solomon four-group structure that isolates the effect of pretesting. Four clusters (or sets of clusters) are created: two receive the treatment and two serve as controls, with only one treatment cluster and one control cluster receiving a pretest, while the others go straight to the posttest. This structure simultaneously controls for pretest sensitization and the logistical constraint that individual randomization is infeasible.