In experimental design, which description best matches a control condition?

In experimental design, which description best matches a control condition?

• A. The IV is changed to create a baseline.
• B. The process of random assignment to groups.
• C. The measure taken after manipulating the IV in the experimental condition.
• D. The condition in which the IV is not changed and provides a baseline measure.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is having a baseline to compare against. A control condition keeps the independent variable unchanged, so it serves as a baseline. This lets us see what happens to the dependent variable when the IV isn’t manipulated, helping us attribute any differences between groups to the manipulation itself rather than other factors. Random assignment is a method to ensure groups are comparable, not a description of the control condition. The description that refers to measuring after manipulating the IV describes the experimental condition, not the baseline. And saying the IV is changed to create a baseline contradicts the purpose of a control, which is to keep the IV constant.

The main idea here is having a baseline to compare against. A control condition keeps the independent variable unchanged, so it serves as a baseline. This lets us see what happens to the dependent variable when the IV isn’t manipulated, helping us attribute any differences between groups to the manipulation itself rather than other factors.

Random assignment is a method to ensure groups are comparable, not a description of the control condition. The description that refers to measuring after manipulating the IV describes the experimental condition, not the baseline. And saying the IV is changed to create a baseline contradicts the purpose of a control, which is to keep the IV constant.