Final answer:
The primary difference between a control group and an experimental group is that the experimental group is exposed to the independent variable while the control group is not. The independent variable is what the experimenter manipulates and measures its impact on the dependent variable. Errors and biases are minimized with techniques like random assignment and controlling for placebo effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Control Group and Experimental Group
The difference between the control group and the experimental group in an experiment is the exposure to the independent variable. The control group is not exposed to the experimental manipulation and serves as a baseline that the experimental outcomes can be compared against. In contrast, the experimental group is the one receiving the experimental manipulation or being exposed to the independent variable. This group is where the effect of the manipulation is observed.
Role of Independent and Dependent Variables
The independent variable is controlled by the experimenter and is the only significant difference between the control and experimental groups. It is the factor that is being tested to see its effects. The dependent variable is what is measured and statistically analyzed by the experimenter to assess the impact of the independent variable.
Minimizing Errors and Bias
Chance errors (random errors) and biases in sampling can affect the experiment's outcome. To minimize these errors, researchers often use random assignment and control for the placebo effect, and ensure there are no other differences between the groups except for the independent variable.