Experimental group

Experimental group is a term used in research design, particularly in psychology, sociology, and medicine, to refer to the group of subjects who are exposed to the variable under study. This group is often compared to a control group, which is not exposed to the variable. The purpose of the experimental group is to test the effects of the variable on the subjects' responses.

Definition

The experimental group is defined as the group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested. The variable is the feature that is thought to cause an effect on the subjects being studied. The experimental group is compared to a control group, which does not receive the variable. This allows researchers to measure the effect of the variable on the experimental group and compare it to the control group.

Purpose

The purpose of the experimental group is to provide a basis for comparison. By comparing the experimental group to the control group, researchers can determine whether the variable has an effect on the subjects. This is a key component of the scientific method, as it allows for the testing of hypotheses.

Methodology

In an experiment, the subjects are randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. This is done to ensure that the groups are equivalent at the start of the experiment, which helps to control for any potential confounding variables. The experimental group then receives the variable, while the control group does not. The researchers then measure the subjects' responses to determine the effect of the variable.

Limitations

While the experimental group is a crucial part of research design, it is not without its limitations. One major limitation is the potential for confounding variables to influence the results. These are variables that are not the focus of the study, but may still affect the subjects' responses. To control for these, researchers often use random assignment and other techniques.

Another limitation is the potential for bias. This can occur if the researchers or the subjects know which group they are in, which can influence their behavior or responses. To prevent this, researchers often use blinding, where the subjects and/or the researchers do not know which group the subjects are in.

See also

• Control group
• Variable (research)
• Confounding variable
• Blinding (research)

Experimental group Resources
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