The counterfactual is a useful concept in experimental research because it designates the ______.
A) control group actually used in an experiment or quasi-experiment
B) outcome that occurred for experimental subjects after the fact of treatment
C) outcome that occurred for the control group after the fact of treatment
D) ideal comparison group to which actual comparison groups can be contrasted

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The counterfactual refers to the hypothetical scenario of what would have happened to the same individuals in the absence of the treatment or intervention, serving as an ideal or theoretical comparison to understand the effect of the treatment. It is not an actual group but a conceptual tool for understanding causality.

The Counterfactual Is a Useful Concept in Experimental Research Because