Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Mathematics Practice Exam

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Which of the following is a characteristic of a control group in experimental studies?

  1. They receive the treatment being tested

  2. They are compared to groups receiving no treatment

  3. They have the same standard deviation as the treatment group

  4. They change variables during the experiment

The correct answer is: They are compared to groups receiving no treatment

In experimental studies, a control group is designed to provide a baseline against which the effects of the treatment can be measured. The primary role of the control group is to serve as a comparison to those receiving the treatment. By having a control group that does not receive the treatment, researchers can observe any changes or effects that occur due to the treatment itself, rather than other external factors. This allows for a clearer understanding of the treatment’s effectiveness. The control group’s outcomes can be compared directly to those of the treatment group. This comparison can reveal whether observed effects in the treatment group are due to the treatment or other variables. Therefore, the correct identification of the control group as a comparator in this context is essential for the integrity of experimental research results.