Control Group

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-006518",
  "term": "Control Group",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A group used as the baseline for comparison in epidemiologic studies or laboratory studies. This group is selected because it either lacks the disease of interest (case-control group) or lacks the exposure of concern (cohort study).\n\n2. A group whose characteristics are similar to those of the program but who do not receive the program services, products, or activities being evaluated. Participants are randomly assigned to either the experimental group (those receiving program services) or the control group. A control group is used to assess the effect of program activities on participants who are receiving the services, products, or activities being evaluated. The same information is collected for people in the control group and those in the experimental group.\n\n3. The set of observations in an experiment or prospective study that do not receive the experimental treatment(s). These observations serve (a) as a comparison point to evaluate the magnitude and significance of each experimental treatment, (b) as a reality check to compare the current observations with previous observation history, and (c) as a source of data for establishing the natural experimental error.\n\n4. A randomly selected 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. The control group is used to measure the level to which the promoted actions would have been taken if the program did not exist. (Campbell and Stanley 1963, p. 13.) See also \"comparison group.\"\n\n5. A group used as the baseline for comparison in epidemiologic studies or laboratory studies. This group is selected because it either lacks the disease of interest (case-control group) or lacks the exposure of concern (cohort study). [EPA 2003]\n\n6. The set of observations in an experiment or prospective study that do not receive the experimental treatment(s). These observations serve (a) as a comparison point to evaluate the magnitude and significance of each experimental treatment, (b) as a reality check to compare the current observations with previous observation history, and (c) as a source of data for establishing the natural experimental error. [NIST/SEMATECH 2005b]",
  "subject": "Health and safety",
  "references": [
    "Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Glossary; EPA 2003",
    "Program Evaluation Glossary",
    "NIST/SEMATECH 2005b",
    "DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program Evaluation Glossary",
    "MRA Thesaurus"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/control-group/"
}