Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An experimental model is a systematic approach or design used in scientific research to investigate and understand phenomena. It involves manipulating certain variables and measuring their effects on the outcome of interest.
A control group is the group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment or intervention being tested. It serves as a baseline against which the results of the treatment group are compared.
Randomization: Randomization is the process of assigning participants to different groups (e.g., treatment group, control group) randomly. This helps minimize bias and ensures that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any given group.
The independent variable is the variable that researchers manipulate or change in an experiment. It is what researchers believe will have an effect on the dependent variable.