What is the purpose of a control group in experiments?

A control group serves a crucial role in experimental research by providing a baseline against which the effects of the independent variable can be measured. By having an experimental group that receives the treatment or manipulation and a control group that does not, researchers can observe the differences in outcomes to determine if the treatment has an effect. The control group helps isolate the effect of the independent variable, allowing for more accurate conclusions about causality.

In this way, data gathered from the control group can highlight changes attributable specifically to the experimental treatment, eliminating potential confounding factors. This comparative approach helps ensure that any observed differences between the two groups are due to the manipulation being tested and not to other extraneous variables.