control group

[kuhn-trohl groop]

noun

1. (in an experiment or clinical trial) a group of subjects closely resembling the treatment group in many demographic variables but not receiving the active medication or factor under study and thereby serving as a comparison group when treatment results are evaluated.

control group

noun

1. any group used as a control in a statistical experiment, esp a group of patients who receive either a placebo or a standard drug during an investigation of the effects of another drug on other patients

Word History and Origins

Origin of control group¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The lunar and Martian samples were compared against a control group grown in Devonian soil, an ancient, clay-rich type from Devon, England.

From Salon

In a way, he’s set up a nice A/B test in the field of persuasion science—an experimental trial, if you will, to compare against the Shor-influenced control group in which his party’s senior figures usually place themselves.

From Slate

It didn’t compare the GLP-1 users with a control group that wasn’t taking the drug, meaning that the product could be just as beneficial to nonusers.

From Slate

A paper listed as support for the myocarditis threat, for example, states, “no causality can be assumed or established” linking the condition to the vaccine because of the lack of a control group for comparison.

From Los Angeles Times

The other reason is that there is no easy control group for any specific food.

From Slate