What is a control group in an experiment?

A control group in an experiment is essential for establishing a baseline to compare the effects of a treatment or intervention. Specifically, the control group does not receive the experimental treatment or intervention being tested, which allows researchers to observe and measure the behavior or outcomes in a standard, unaltered setting. This is crucial to determine whether the changes observed in the experimental group can be attributed to the treatment rather than other external factors.

By maintaining the control group in a neutral state, researchers can confidently attribute any differences in results between the control and experimental groups to the treatment itself. This method reduces the potential for bias, ensuring that any effects observed are indeed due to the intervention rather than other variables. Thus, the definition aligns perfectly with the function of a control group in scientific research.