Control subjects in an experiment                   . a. should be similar in most ways to the experimental subjects; b. should not know whether they are in the control or experimental group; c. should have essentially the same interactions with the researchers as the experimental subjects; d. help eliminate alternative hypotheses that could explain experimental results; e. all of the above

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the purpose of control subjects in an experiment, which is to provide a baseline or standard for comparison against the experimental group.
2. Evaluate each statement to determine if it aligns with the role of control subjects in maintaining the integrity and validity of the experiment.
3. Consider how control subjects being similar to experimental subjects (in terms of age, health status, etc.) helps in isolating the variable being tested.
4. Reflect on the importance of control subjects not knowing their group assignment (control or experimental) to prevent bias, known as the placebo effect, which could influence the results.
5. Analyze how having the same interactions with researchers ensures that both control and experimental subjects are influenced in the same way by the experimental setup, except for the variable being tested.

Key Concepts

Control Group

A control group in an experiment serves as a baseline to compare against the experimental group. It is essential that control subjects are similar to experimental subjects in all relevant aspects, ensuring that any observed effects can be attributed to the treatment rather than other variables.

Blinding

Blinding refers to the practice of keeping participants unaware of their group assignment (control or experimental) to prevent bias in their responses or behaviors. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the experiment and ensuring that results are not influenced by participants' expectations.

Elimination of Alternative Hypotheses

Eliminating alternative hypotheses is a fundamental principle in experimental design. By using control groups and blinding, researchers can more confidently attribute any differences in outcomes to the experimental treatment, rather than other confounding factors, thus strengthening the validity of their conclusions.