What is the primary purpose of a control group in experimental research?

What is the primary purpose of a control group in experimental research?

• A. To introduce bias into the study
• B. To establish causation
• C. To allow comparison with the treatment group
• D. To increase sample size

Answer: (C)

The primary purpose of a control group in experimental research is to allow comparison with the treatment group. In an experiment, researchers want to determine the effect of a specific intervention or treatment. The control group does not receive this treatment, serving as a baseline to compare the results from those who do receive the treatment. This comparison enables researchers to assess the impact of the treatment more accurately. Having a control group is crucial for understanding whether observed changes in the treatment group are genuinely due to the intervention or if they could have occurred for other reasons, such as external influences or trends. This controlled approach helps ensure that the results are more valid and reliable, attributing any significant differences directly to the experimental treatment rather than to confounding variables.

The primary purpose of a control group in experimental research is to allow comparison with the treatment group. In an experiment, researchers want to determine the effect of a specific intervention or treatment. The control group does not receive this treatment, serving as a baseline to compare the results from those who do receive the treatment. This comparison enables researchers to assess the impact of the treatment more accurately.

Having a control group is crucial for understanding whether observed changes in the treatment group are genuinely due to the intervention or if they could have occurred for other reasons, such as external influences or trends. This controlled approach helps ensure that the results are more valid and reliable, attributing any significant differences directly to the experimental treatment rather than to confounding variables.