Comparison Group

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-005862",
  "term": "Comparison Group",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A group of individuals whose characteristics are similar to those of a program's participants. These individuals may not receive any services, or they may receive a different set of services, activities, or products; in no instance do they receive the same services as those being evaluated. As part of the evaluation process, the experimental group (those receiving program services) and the comparison group are assessed to determine which types of services, activities, or products provided by the program produced the expected changes.\n\n2. A group of individuals or organizations that have not had the opportunity to receive program benefits that is measured to determine the extent to which its members have taken actions promoted by the program. Like a control group, the comparison group is used to measure the level to which the promoted actions would have been taken if the program did not exist. However, unlike a control group, a comparison group is chosen through methods other than randomization, e.g., selection on the basis of similar demographic characteristics. (OMB 2004. Campbell and Stanley 1963, p. 13.) See also \"representative sample.\" Some sources also use this definition for \"control group.\" (European Commission, RTD Evaluation Toolbox 2002, p. 256)\n\n3. A group in an analytic study (e.g., a cohort or case-control study) with whom the primary group of interest (exposed group in a cohort study or case-patients in a case-control study) is compared. The comparison group provides an estimate of the background or expected incidence of disease (in a cohort study) or exposure (in a case-control study).",
  "subject": "Policy and guidance",
  "references": [
    "Program Evaluation Glossary",
    "DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program Evaluation Glossary",
    "CDC Glossary of Epidemiology Terms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/comparison-group/"
}