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control group

a comparison group in a study whose members receive either no intervention at all or some established intervention. The responses of those in the control group are compared with the responses of participants in one or more experimental groups that are given the new treatment being evaluated. See also no-treatment control group.

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Psychology term of the day

December 19th 2024

unipolar rating scale

unipolar rating scale

a type of instrument that prompts a respondent to evaluate the degree to which a single quality or attribute is present. For example, consider a scale with the following anchors or benchmarks: (1) not at all satisfied, (2) slightly satisfied, (3) moderately satisfied, (4) very satisfied, and (5) completely satisfied. Because there is no anchor that represents the opposing quality of dissatisfaction, the scale has one pole. Also called unipolar scale. Compare bipolar rating scale.