What is the purpose of a control group in experiments?

The purpose of a control group in experiments is to serve as a baseline for comparison against the experimental group. By having a control group that does not receive the treatment or intervention being tested, researchers can observe the effects of the treatment more clearly. This allows them to determine whether any changes observed in the experimental group are actually due to the treatment itself rather than other external factors.

A control group helps ensure that the results of the experiment are valid by providing a reference point. For instance, if the experimental group shows improvement or a significant change, researchers can compare these results to the control group, which should not show any change if the treatment was effective. This comparison is crucial for establishing causal relationships and for drawing accurate conclusions about the effectiveness of the treatment being studied.