Definition

1. Noun:
   • A standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment: In research, a "control condition" is the baseline or standard group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment or intervention. It is used for comparison to assess the effect of the treatment being studied.

Usage

• The term "control condition" is primarily used in formal, academic, and scientific contexts, especially in experimental design, psychology, medicine, and social sciences.
• It is a countable noun. You can have one or multiple control conditions in an experiment.
• It is often used with verbs like: , , , , .
• It is commonly preceded by: , , , .

Examples

• Noun:
  • Researchers must carefully design the control condition to ensure valid results.
  • The study's findings are questionable because it lacked a proper control condition.
  • Participants in the control condition received a placebo instead of the active drug.

Advanced Usage

• "Serving as a control condition": Functioning as the baseline for comparison.
  • The group that received no training served as the control condition.
• "Relative to the control condition": In comparison to the baseline group.
  • Performance improved significantly in the test group relative to the control condition.

Variants and Related Words

• Control group (n): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably. It specifically refers to the of participants or subjects in the control condition.
  • The control group did not experience any change.
• Baseline (n): The initial set of measurements or conditions used for comparison, which can be related to the concept of a control condition.
• Experimental condition (n): The group or situation that receives the treatment being tested, which is compared to the control condition.

Synonyms

• Comparison standard: The standard used for making comparisons.
• Baseline condition: The initial or reference condition.
• Reference group: A group used as a standard for comparison.

Related Phrases

• Control for [a variable]: To account for or eliminate the influence of a specific factor in an experiment.
  • The study controlled for age and prior experience.

Noun

1. a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment
   • the control condition was inappropriate for the conclusions he wished to draw