control group vs. experimental group

control group vs. experimental group: What's the difference?

In an experiment, control group refers to the group of participants not exposed to the variable that’s being studied, and experimental group refers to the participant group that is. In a clinical trial, the control group might be given a placebo or not treated at all so that the natural outcome of the group could be observed and compared to the experimental group’s outcome.

control group

[kuhn-trohl groop] / kənˈtroʊl ˌgrup /

noun

(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.

experimental group

noun

(in an experiment or clinical trial) a group of subjects who are exposed to the variable under study.

a lower infection rate in the experimental group that received the vaccine.