Course: Research Methods
An experimental group is a set of subjects in an experiment who receive the treatment or intervention under study.
A Deep Dive into Experimental Groups
In the realm of research, a group of subjects often go through tests or treatments. This group is called the experimental group. They are at the heart of the research process. These subjects experience the key treatment or change that the researcher wants to study.
Why Experimental Groups Matter
Understanding what happens to the experimental group is vital in research. This group experiences the “thing” that researchers believe might make a difference. In other words, this group helps researchers understand the effects of the factor they’re investigating. After all, without an experimental group, there would be no one to receive the treatment or change being studied.
Example from Criminal Justice
Imagine a criminal justice researcher studying a new rehabilitation program for inmates. The inmates who participate in this new program are the experimental group. They experience the treatment (the new program) so the researcher can study its effects.
A Social Work Scenario
In social work research, such a group might consist of families participating in a new parenting program. The social worker could measure changes in family dynamics before and after the program, studying the program’s impact.
Political Science Context
In political science, such a group could be citizens receiving a certain type of political messaging during a campaign. The researcher could then examine if and how this messaging influenced their voting behavior.
To Wrap Up
In a nutshell, an experimental group in research is the group that experiences the treatment or intervention that the researcher is studying. They are key to understanding whether and how this treatment or intervention works. Whether it’s in criminal justice, social work, or political science, these groups help to provide the answers that researchers are seeking.