In medical research, what is the comparison group that receives an inactive…
2024
In medical research, what is the comparison group that receives an inactive substance designed to resemble the treatment under study specifically called?
Answer: C. placebo group — ConceptIn a controlled study, researchers compare outcomes between groups so that the effect of the intervention can be separated from expectations and other…
- A.
experimental group
- B.
control group
- C.
placebo group
- D.
independent group
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
In a controlled study, researchers compare outcomes between groups so that the effect of the intervention can be separated from expectations and other influences.
A placebo is an inactive substance or procedure made to resemble the study treatment. The group assigned to receive it is called the placebo group.
Application
The stem describes a comparison group receiving an inactive look-alike treatment. That defining feature identifies the group as the placebo group.
Contrast
An experimental group receives the active intervention whose effect is being measured.
A control group is the broader comparison category and may receive usual care, no intervention, or a placebo.
An independent group refers to observations that are unrelated across groups; it is not the specific treatment-allocation term used here.
Cross-check
Replacing the phrase “inactive look-alike treatment” with “placebo” gives “the group receiving a placebo,” which is precisely a placebo group.
Therefore, the comparison group described is the placebo group.