Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

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What is the purpose of a control group in an experimental study?

It provides hypothetical data for analysis.
It does not receive the experimental manipulation.
It undergoes the same treatment as the experimental group.
It serves as a means for observational data collection.

The correct answer is: It does not receive the experimental manipulation.

The purpose of a control group in an experimental study is to provide a baseline for comparison, and this is achieved through the group not receiving the experimental manipulation. By maintaining this lack of exposure to the experimental treatment, researchers can observe the effects of the treatment applied to the experimental group and ascertain whether any differences in outcomes are truly due to the treatment. Without a control group, it would be challenging to determine whether changes in the experimental group are a result of the intervention or other external factors. Therefore, the presence of a control group is vital for establishing cause-and-effect relationships and enhances the reliability and validity of the study's findings. In contrast, providing hypothetical data, undergoing the same treatment as the experimental group, or collecting observational data do not fulfill the critical role of the control group in providing a standard for comparison against the experimental group. Understanding this differentiation is essential for comprehending research methodology within psychology and other experimental sciences.