Introduction into social science
20. Differentiate between an experimental and control group? -
In social science research, an experimental group and a control group are two different groups used to compare the effects of an intervention or treatment.
An experimental group refers to the group of participants who receive the intervention or treatment being studied. This group is exposed to the independent variable, which is the factor being manipulated or changed in the study. The purpose of the experimental group is to observe and measure the effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable, which is the outcome or behavior being measured.
On the other hand, a control group refers to a group of participants who do not receive the intervention or treatment. This group is used as a baseline or comparison group to evaluate the effects of the independent variable. The control group is not exposed to any manipulation or change, and they continue with their normal conditions or receive a placebo.
The key difference between an experimental group and a control group is that the experimental group receives the intervention or treatment being studied, while the control group does not. By comparing the results or outcomes of the experimental group with the control group, researchers can determine the effectiveness or impact of the intervention or treatment. This comparison helps in establishing cause-and-effect relationships and drawing valid conclusions from the research study.