noun · academic
control group
UK/kənˈtrəʊl ɡruːp/US/kənˈtroʊl ɡruːp/con·TROL GROUP
the group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment and is used for comparison
Examples
“The control group received a placebo while the experimental group got the real drug.”
“Results from the control group helped identify the drug's real effect.”
“Researchers must ensure the control group matches the experimental group in key characteristics.”
Band 8 sentence
“To isolate the treatment effect, researchers ensured the control group and experimental group were matched on age and baseline health indicators.”
Collocations
- placebo control group
- match the control group
- compare with the control group
Word family
Common mistakes
controls group→control group
the controlled group→the control group
group control→control group
Say it for a higher band
5comparison group→6control→7+control group
Synonyms
comparison group
Easily confused
experimental group
“Only the experimental group received the new fertilizer in the trial.”
Related words
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In Science & Research
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