Which term describes a group that does not receive the treatment in an experimental setup?

The term that describes a group that does not receive the treatment in an experimental setup is known as the control condition. This group is essential in experimental research as it serves as a baseline against which the effects of the treatment can be compared. The control condition allows researchers to determine whether the changes observed in the experimental group are due to the treatment itself or other variables.

In a typical experiment, the control group may receive a placebo or simply not receive the experimental treatment, ensuring that any observed effects in the experimental group can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable. This comparison helps to enhance the internal validity of the study by controlling for confounding variables that might otherwise influence the results.

Understanding the role of the control condition is vital, as it enables researchers to draw more accurate conclusions about the effectiveness of the treatment being tested.