What is the goal of the control group in experimental research?

The goal of the control group in experimental research is fundamentally to provide a baseline for comparison to the experimental group. This setup allows researchers to determine the effectiveness of the intervention or treatment being tested. By using a control group that does not receive the experimental treatment, researchers can assess changes in the experimental group and attribute those changes specifically to the treatment rather than other variables or external influences.

The control group is essential for establishing cause-and-effect relationships in research. Without it, there would be no way to know if the outcomes observed in the experimental group resulted from the treatment itself or simply from other factors. Comparing the results from both groups enables a clearer understanding of the intervention's impact. This practice is a cornerstone of rigorous experimental design and underpins the validity of the study's findings.