control group

American  

[kuhn-trohl groop] / kənˈtroʊl ˌgrup /

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.

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control group British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of control group

First recorded in 1950–55

Compare meaning

How does control-group compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• control group vs. experimental group

Example Sentences

The biggest positive was the fact that the control group—an indicator that excludes volatile categories like auto dealers, gas stations, building materials, and food services rose by 0.8% month over month in October.

From Barron's

A third group of six cadaver donors provided additional skin samples to strengthen the control group.

From Science Daily

Human voices served as the control group.

From Science Daily

Another group of ten patients, whose tumors were similarly aggressive but who did not receive resveratrol and copper, served as the control group.

From Science Daily

"What makes the study so powerful is that it's essentially like a randomized trial with a control group -- those a little bit too old to be eligible for the vaccine -- and an intervention group -- those just young enough to be eligible," Geldsetzer said.

From Science Daily