What is a good control group for a research study on people with eating disorders?
A) People who have an eating disorder and a wide range of educational backgrounds.
B) A group that is comparable to those with eating disorders except that they eat normally.
C) A group that is drawn from the sample of people with eating disorders.
D) People who used to have eating disorders but say they no longer do.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best control group for a research study on people with eating disorders would be a group that is comparable to those with eating disorders in terms of demographic factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status, but do not have eating disorders. This would allow for a comparison of the effects of the eating disorder on various outcomes, such as physical health, mental health, and quality of life. A group with a wide range of educational backgrounds (A) would not necessarily be a good control group since educational attainment may be related to eating disorder status. A group drawn from the sample of people with eating disorders (C) would not be a control group but rather part of the study group. People who used to have eating disorders but no longer do (D) may have already undergone treatment or have developed coping mechanisms, making them a poor control group.

What Is a Good Control Group for a Research Study