What is the purpose of a control group in a study?

A control group serves the essential purpose of providing a baseline for comparison against the experimental group that receives the treatment or intervention. This allows researchers to determine the true effects of the treatment by analyzing differences in outcomes between the two groups. By observing how subjects in the control group respond under standard or neutral conditions, researchers can identify any changes or effects that can be attributed specifically to the treatment being studied.

Having a control group helps to isolate the variable of interest and assess its impact, while also controlling for other external factors that could influence the results. Understanding this aspect is crucial in experimental design because it enhances the validity and reliability of the study outcomes, allowing researchers to draw more accurate conclusions about the efficacy of the treatment or intervention being investigated.