Difference between control group and experimental group

The main difference between the Control Group and the Experimental Group is that the Control Group is the group that does not receive variables in the experiment and uses them for comparison, while the Experimental Group is the group with which we are conducting an experiment. .

Control group vs. experimental group

Research is an ideal source for scientific research. During research, tests are performed under controlled conditions to ascertain the validity of a hypothesis. The different numbers and types of groups are planned according to the theme. Two main types of groups are the control group and the experimental group.

The control group is the group that is not directly involved in the experiment, but is used to compare the results with the experimental group. On the other hand, the experimental group is the group in which we are performing the experiment. So all experiments do not need a control group, but all experiments do have an experimental group.

A control group is a group in which the independent variable is neither changing nor set to a standard value by the researcher. On the other hand, the researcher changes that independent variable in the experimental group that can affect the dependent variable. A control group is exactly identical to the experimental group except for the change in the experimental conditions.

A control group is a group that is used to compare the results of the experimental group with the natural results of the control group and increases the validity and reliability of the results. On the other hand, the experimental group explains the influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

If there is no change in the value of the dependent variables after comparing the results of the experimental group with the natural group, then the null hypothesis is accepted, while if there is a significant change in the dependent variable of the control group and the experimental group than an alternative hypothesis is accepted.

An experiment has only one control group, but can have more than one experimental group. All experiments do not have a control group, but experiments that do have a control group are called controlled experiments.

Comparison chart

In an experiment, a control group is a group that does not receive variables to be tested. A control group is also known as a comparison group. All experiments do not have a control group, but the experiments that are with this group are called controlled experiments. When experimental conditions are difficult to isolate, control groups are very important.

In this type of group, the independent variable does not change nor is it set as a standard value by the researcher. It is used to compare the results of the experimental group with the natural results of the control group and increases the validity and reliability of the results. If there is no change in the value of the dependent variables after comparing the results of the experimental group with the natural group, then the null hypothesis is accepted.

Example

An example of a controlled experiment is such that if someone wants to know whether plants need water to live or not, they will design an experiment. In the experiment, a plant will water, and others will not, to check the need for water for its survival. The irrigated plant will be from the experimental group. On the other hand, the one that is not irrigated is known as the control group.

Types

• Positive control group: A type of control group in which the experiment is designed in such a way that a positive result is guaranteed is called a positive control group. For example, a researcher is planning an experiment to test bacterial susceptibility to a drug. He will use a positive control to confirm that the growth medium is capable of supporting bacteria. It would grow bacteria known to carry the drug resistance marker so that they could survive in a drug-treated medium. The group will be positive control if the growth of the bacteria occurs. It shows that other bacteria that are resistant to drugs should also be able to survive the test.
• Negative control group:A type of control group in which the experimental conditions are designed in such a way as to cause negative results is called a negative control group. These types of groups are very common in science experiments to tell students how to find the independent variable. For example, a researcher wants to know if a new fertilizer has any effect on plant growth or not. He will design a negative control group in which the plants will be grown without the fertilizer but under the same conditions as the experimental group. He could design various pools by varying the concentration of fertilizer. If the fertilizer has no effect on plant growth, then it will be a null hypothesis. But, if there is a difference in the growth rate of the plants,

What is the Experimental Group ?

An experimental group is a group that receives variables to be tested. All experiments have one or more experimental groups. The researcher changes the independent variable in the experimental group that can affect the dependent variable in the investigation.

The experimental group explains the influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable. If there is a significant transformation in the dependent variable of the control group and the experimental group, then the alternative hypothesis is accepted.

Two points should be kept in mind while establishing an experimental group, that is, the variable to be tested should be clearly defined and you should also know the procedure to find the results of the experimental group.

There should be a way to make a comparison to measure the results. The results can be obtained by comparing the results of the experimental group with the control group. Only one variable can be found in an experimental group at a time. Because, if we take more than one variable per group, we could not know which one is responsible for the results.

Example

A person wants to know that either a popcorn pops better if it is placed in a refrigerator before being microwaved or not. To test this hypothesis, you will place one bag of popcorn in the refrigerator and another in the kitchen cupboard as usual for one night. The next day, he will microwave both bags and compare the results to test the validity of his hypothesis. Here, a bag of popcorn that was placed in the refrigerator is an experimental group, and one that is placed in a kitchen cabinet is a control group.

Key differences

1. During an experiment, a group that does not receive the variables to be tested is known as the control group, while during an experiment, the group that receives the variables to be tested is known as the experimental group.
2. An experiment has only one control group; on the other hand; an experiment can have more than one experimental group.
3. All experiments do not have a control group, but experiments that are with a control group are called conversely controlled experiments, all experiments have a group of experiments.
4. A control group is also known as a comparison group on the other side; there is no other name for the experimental group.
5. A control group is a group in which the independent variable is not changing or set as a standard value by the researcher, on the other hand, the researcher changes that independent variable in the experimental group that may affect the dependent variable.
6. A control group is a group that is used to compare the results of the experimental group with the natural results of the control group and increases the validity and reliability of the results while the experimental group explains the influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable. .
7. If there is no change in the value of the dependent variables after comparing the results of the experimental group with the natural group, then the null hypothesis is accepted on the other side, if there is a significant change in the dependent variable of the control group and the experimental group then an alternative hypothesis is accepted.
8. A control group is not directly involved in the experiment but is only used to compare the natural results with the experimental group, on the other hand, an experimental group is directly involved in the experiment with specific experimental conditions.

Final Thought

The above discussion summarizes that the control group is the same as the experimental group, but no experimental conditions are imposed on it. It is not present in all experiments. On the other hand, an experimental group is a group that is given a variable to be tested and perhaps a multiple number in an experiment.