experimental group

noun

UK /ɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl ɡruːp/

US /ɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl ɡruːp/

The group in a test that gets the special thing being tried.

The experimental group received the new medicine while the other group got a sugar pill.

SYNONYMS

treatment group test group intervention group study group

RELATED WORDS

control group variable hypothesis experiment placebo

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The set of participants exposed to the independent variable in a research study.

Researchers compared the experimental group with the control group to measure the drug's effect.

3. A collection of subjects that receives a new or altered condition during an investigation.

The experimental group was taught with the new method for one semester.

4. In psychology, the group that receives the manipulation being studied.

The experimental group watched the violent clip, then their behavior was recorded.