What distinguishes a comparison group from a control group?

The distinction between a comparison group and a control group is primarily related to the type of treatment or intervention they receive in research studies. A comparison group typically receives "treatment as usual," which refers to the standard care or typical intervention that participants might receive outside the context of the research study. This enables researchers to compare the effects of a new intervention or treatment against the established practices in the field.

In contrast, a control group is often designed to receive no experimental treatment or intervention at all, which allows researchers to observe the effects of the intervention in isolation. By including a comparison group receiving "treatment as usual," researchers can assess whether the new treatment offers additional benefits compared to standard care.

This differentiation is crucial in the context of social work and other health-related fields, as it helps researchers to understand the effectiveness of new interventions compared to existing practices, ultimately informing best practices in social work and related disciplines.