answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

A control experiment is a very important aspect of the scientific method.

Control experiments are used to minimize influences such as bias, genetic and biological variations, environmental changes, and random skewing.

In a controlled experiment one set of samples have been (or is believed to be) modified and the other set of samples are either expected to show no change (negative control) or expected to show a definite change (positive control).

Control experiments are especially useful in testing the effectiveness of new pharmaceuticals.

For example:

Let's say a company is developing an anti-smoking aid - which we'll call 'Cigstop' - and it has reached the human testing stage. To judge the effectiveness of the drug a control experiment would be administered to two groups.

The first group would receive Cigstop in its prescribed format, while the second group (the control) would receive a placebo believing it to be Cigstop.

Both groups are then instructed to attempt to quit smoking over a set period of time.

Once the experiment has concluded one can compare the two groups and determine the success rate of the drug. If the group that actually received Cigstop had a higher percentage of quitters than the control, then the drug shows an ability to assist someone in quitting smoking. Multiple control experiments showing the same results would verify the statistical probability of the drugs effectiveness.

Experiments such as the one above conducted without a control group could lead to unverified claims, and may be regarded as psuedo-science.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

4mo ago

The purpose of control in an experiment is to provide a standard against which the results of the experimental group can be compared. By keeping all variables constant except for the one being tested, the control group helps to ensure that any observed effects are due to the variable being tested and not to external factors.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

A control in a scientific experiment is an experiment designed to minimize the effects of variables other than the single independent variable. This increases the reliability of the results, often through a comparison between control measurements and the other measurements. Scientific controls are a part of the scientific method.

An example of an experimental control.

If you're testing the effectiveness of a headache medicine, you would give half of the individuals the actual medicine, and give the other half a placebo pill (an ineffectual pill, such as a sugar pill). The group that received the placebo pills are the control group, because they establish the baseline level of effectiveness that the medicine-treated group will be compared against. Without a control group, the experiment cannot determine whether the medicine-treated individuals feel beter than they would have if untreated.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

The purpose of an experimental control is to provide a base-line result or set of results, from which you can compare the variables' effects against. Control groups are often included in medical or psychological experiments so that the results of an experiment are considered reliable and trustworthy.

For example:

A mystery-drug cure is being tested. One group of patients is given the drug and the other group is not. The group without the drug will be subject to all the same conditions that the other group are under, thereby seeking to eliminate any unforeseen effecting environmental factors. This makes it possible to compare, and therefore measure, the impact any drug would have.

As well as control groups, single- or double- blind testing may take place to eradicate experimenter bias and other unknown variables.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

To have something to compare your results to. You can have controls that tell you if the results are different from normal conditions, or if the they are a result of the process/technique (rather than the substance/stimuli being tested). There are a wide variety of controls that should be deployed depending on the experiment being run.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

A control exreriment allows you to see what the difference is from the variable changed in the experiment

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

its to be able to see what variables changed during the expeiment being preformed

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

To manipulate the experiment and study the outcome.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

It is designed to make sure that only one factor is being changed, so you can be sure of its effect.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the purpose of control in a experiment?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Biology

What is the purpose of the control group?

The purpose of a control group is to show what would happen under normal conditions. It serves as a comparison to the results you receive from the manipulation of the independent variable on the dependent variable. If a control group is present in an experiment, one can be more certain that the independent variable is really responsible for the observations.


What is the purpose of having a control in an experiment?

The purpose of having a control in an experiment is to provide a baseline comparison for the results obtained from the experimental group. By comparing the results of the experimental group to the control group, researchers can determine the effect of the variables being tested and ensure that any observed changes are not due to external factors.


In an experiment there are two groups. Which group is not changed in any way?

The control group is not changed in any way during the experiment. It serves as a baseline for comparison with the group that is exposed to the experimental manipulation.


What do you call something you experiment on?

Something that is experimented on is typically referred to as a "subject" or a "test subject."


Why is control important in an experiment?

Control is important in an experiment to eliminate the influence of variables other than the one being tested. By having a control group that is not exposed to the experimental treatment, researchers can accurately gauge the true effect of the independent variable on the outcome. This allows for valid and reliable conclusions to be drawn from the experiment.

Related questions

In an experiment what is the purpose of ta control?

The control group stays the same throughout the entire experiment.


What is purpose of having a control in a experiment?

Having a control in an experiment allows you to see what happens when no variables are changed. If you do not have a control, you do not have anything to compare your results with after changing variables of the experiment.


What is the purpose of the control setup?

To have something to compare the rest of the experiment to


The purpose of blocking in experimental design is?

the control for multiple variables in a experiment


What is the control variable in the experiment is the?

The purpose of a control variable in an experiment is to allow the experiment to come out with accurate results. It makes it a lot easier to measure the results when different things aren't affecting it.


The purpose of container B in this experiment is to?

act as a control group to compare with container A and determine any changes or effects of the experiment on the system.


What is the purpose of a control setup in an experiment?

A control setup is something where you know how it will behave. It gives you a reference to measure affect of all other variables.


What is the purpose of the control group?

The purpose of a control group is to show what would happen under normal conditions. It serves as a comparison to the results you receive from the manipulation of the independent variable on the dependent variable. If a control group is present in an experiment, one can be more certain that the independent variable is really responsible for the observations.


What is a purpose of a control?

The purpose of a control in any experiment is so that you have a natural example to look at at. Ex: If I was doing an experiment on fertilizer, I'd have three different fertilizers and a plant without fertilizer so I could see how it would grow without fertilizer so I could backtrack if need be.


What is purpose of doing an experiment?

the purpose of doing an experiment is to discover new things


What is the purpose of using multiple control in an experiment?

To help you conclude that no uncontrolled factors significantly influenced your results. To help you determine that your experimental results are valid To help control for factors that aren't being tested but might affect results


What is the controll group of the experiment?

The control group is the group in an experiment that is not exposed to the independent variable being tested. Its purpose is to provide a baseline comparison for evaluating the effects of the independent variable on the treatment group.