What is the difference between a control group and an experimental group? Thanks in advance. :)
control group is the group you do not change (what you comapre the experiement to), the experimental group is the group that you do the experiment to, you compare the results to the control group
Here is more detail about the whole experimental process.
An independent variable is the potential stimulus or cause, usually directly manipulated by the experimenter, so it could also be called a manipulative variable.
A dependent variable is the response or measure of results.
Extraneous variables — other than the independent variable — potentially can affect the dependent variable, so they must be controlled. If possible, you try to keep them constant between the experimental and control group.
The experimental group receives the independent variable.
The control group is similar to experimental, except it does not receive the independent variable. Extraneous variables are balanced between experimental and control groups.
Types of experiments
1. Single blind gives the control group a placebo — a substance that is inert, it has no physical effect. Subjects don't know if they are in experimental or control group to reduce placebo effect, a change in behavior solely due to believing that you are getting the independent variable.
2. Double blind keeps both subjects and experimenter ignorant of group setup. Distribution of the independent variable and placebo is controlled by third party. This controls for experimenter bias and self-fulfilling prophecy. This means that experimenters with particular expectations are likely to consciously or unconsciously to bias the experiment and influence it to conform to their expectations.
As an example, suppose you want to find out if fluorides reduce dental cavities. You would find two groups, trying to control the extraneous variables. Extraneous variables are found by surveying previous research in the area. In this case, you would match the groups in terms of previous history of cavities, diet and dental hygiene habits including how and how often they brush their teeth.
The experimental group would get toothpaste with the independent variable, the fluoride, while the control group would not have the fluoride in their toothpaste. The toothpaste without the fluoride would be the placebo.
The dependent variable would be the number of cavities after participating in the experiment for a time. The dependent variable indicates the results, but it is not the results. At the end of the experiment, both groups could have no change in cavities or one of the groups could have a greater reduction in cavities. (Of course, if the fluoride increased cavities, you wouldn't want to use it.) All of these varied results would be indicated in terms of the dependent variable.
If only the subjects do not know who is getting the fluoride, it is a single blind experiment. If both the subjects and experimenter do not know, it is a double blind.
I hope this helps a little more. Thanks for asking.
A control group and an experimental group are both important components of an experiment. The control group is a group that does not receive any changes or interventions and serves as a baseline for comparison. On the other hand, the experimental group is the group that receives the specific intervention or manipulation being tested in the experiment.
To better understand the difference, let's go through the process of conducting an experiment:
1. Define the research question: Identify the goal of your experiment and what you want to investigate.
2. Determine the independent variable: This is the factor or condition that you want to manipulate or change in the experiment. It is also known as the potential cause.
3. Identify the dependent variable: This is the response or measure of the results that you will be observing or measuring. It is the outcome that you expect to be influenced by the independent variable.
4. Control extraneous variables: Extraneous variables are other factors that could potentially affect the dependent variable. These variables should be controlled or kept constant between the experimental and control groups to ensure that any differences observed are due to the independent variable and not other factors.
5. Assign participants to groups: Divide the participants or subjects into two or more groups. One group will be the control group, and the others will be experimental groups.
6. Apply the intervention: The experimental group(s) will receive the specific intervention or manipulation related to the independent variable. This could involve administering a treatment, providing a different environment, or changing something in the participants' routine.
7. Maintain the control group: The control group, on the other hand, does not receive any changes or interventions. It is kept under the same conditions as much as possible to provide a baseline for comparison.
8. Observe and measure the dependent variable: Throughout the experiment, the dependent variable is observed and measured in both the control and experimental groups. This allows you to evaluate the effect of the independent variable by comparing the results between the two groups.
9. Analyze and interpret the data: After collecting the data, statistical analysis is performed to determine whether there are significant differences between the control and experimental groups in terms of the dependent variable. The results will help you draw conclusions about the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.
In summary, the control group is the group that remains unchanged to provide a basis for comparison, while the experimental group is the group that receives the specific intervention being tested. By having a control group, researchers can isolate and attribute any observed effects to the independent variable, allowing for more accurate and reliable conclusions to be drawn.