In an experiment on the effects of caffeine on the alertness of college students, student volunteers are randomly assigned to two groups. One group is given caffeinated coffee while the other group is given decaffeinated coffee. All participants then play a video game to assess their mental acuity, measured as their final score on the video game. In this study, the group that is given caffeinated coffee is called the:
A) control group
B) experimental group
C) focus group
D) population

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The group that is given caffeinated coffee is the experimental group because they are the group that is receiving the treatment (caffeine) that is being tested for its effects on mental acuity. The control group would be the group that does not receive the treatment, which in this case would be the group given decaffeinated coffee. The terms "focus group" and "population" do not apply to this specific study design.

In an Experiment on the Effects of Caffeine on the Alertness