control
Definition
Control is a variable that is kept constant in an experiment so that the effects of other variables can be studied.
For example, if you are testing the effects of different types of fertilizer on plant growth, you might control the amount of water that the plants receive.
This would allow you to see how the different types of fertilizer affect plant growth, without the confounding factor of water availability.
How can the word be used?
The patient is under the control of a medication.
Different forms of the word
Noun: control (plural: controls).
Verb: to control.
Adjective: controlling.
controlled.
Adverb: controllably.
Etymology
The word "control" comes from the Latin word "controllare," which means "to check" or "to restrain." It is made up of the prefix "con-," which means "together," and the verb "tollere," which means "to bear" or "to support.".
Question
Why is a control important?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
What does the term "control" mean in a scientific experiment, and why is it important to have a control group?
Answer:
The term "control" in a scientific experiment refers to the standard against which results are compared. A control group serves as a baseline, receiving no experimental treatment, and is used for comparison to assess the effects of the independent variable on the experimental group. Having a control group is crucial as it helps researchers isolate and identify the specific impact of the independent variable, ensuring the validity and reliability of the experiment's results.