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A control group is an essential element of scientific experimentation. It is the group in the experiment that does not receive a variable and has the same conditions as the experimental group, with the exception of the variable being tested. In this article, we’ll look at the purpose and examples of a control group, as well as various statements that are true of those assigned to a control group.
Purpose and Examples of a Control Group
The purpose of a control group is to serve as a baseline for comparison. The results of the experiment can be compared between groups with and without the variable being tested. It is important to have a control group that is as similar to the experimental group as possible, in order for the results to be meaningful.
An example of a control group might be a group of test subjects who are not given a medication and only follow a placebo treatment. This group could then be compared to a group that is given the actual medication. Another example could be a group of test subjects who only eat their regular diet, compared to a group of test subjects who only eat a special diet.
Statements That Are True Of Those Assigned To A Control Group
The following statements are true for those assigned to a control group:
- They do not receive the experimental manipulation.
- They are not given a variable.
- They have the same conditions as the experimental group, excluding the variable being tested.
- Their results serve as a baseline for comparison.
It is important to have a control group when conducting a scientific experiment. This allows for meaningful results when comparing experimental groups with and without the variable being tested.