What is the role of a control group in an experiment?

The control group plays a crucial role in an experiment by providing a baseline for comparison. This group does not receive the treatment or intervention being tested, allowing researchers to observe the effects of the treatment by comparing it with the outcomes of the control group. By isolating the variable of interest, researchers can determine whether the changes they observe in the experimental group are indeed due to the treatment itself, rather than other external factors or variables.

The absence of treatment in the control group helps establish a clearer understanding of the treatment's efficacy, as any differences in outcomes can be attributed directly to the treatment rather than to other confounding variables. This foundational principle enables researchers to draw reliable conclusions about the cause-and-effect relationship being studied.