Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
One of the critical decisions that researchers make when designing a controlled trial is the choice of the control: what should be the control group? The answer depends on what we're interested in testing. The distinction I make here is an important one to keep in mind.
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0:00 An under-appreciated distinction.
0:34 What is a passive control group?
1:36 What is an active control group?
REFERENCES
A good explanation of the difference between passive control groups and active control groups begins on page 116, here: Simons, D. J., Boot, W. R., Charness, N., Gathercole, S. E., Chabris, C. F., Hambrick, D. Z., & Stine-Morrow, E. A. L. (2016). Do “Brain-Training” Programs Work? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 17(3), 103–186. doi.org/10.1177/1529100616661983
One of the critical decisions that researchers make when designing a controlled trial is the choice of the control: what should be the control group? The answer depends on what we're interested in testing. The distinction I make here is an important one to keep in mind.
Join my online learning community: benjaminkeep.com/community
0:00 An under-appreciated distinction.
0:34 What is a passive control group?
1:36 What is an active control group?
REFERENCES
A good explanation of the difference between passive control groups and active control groups begins on page 116, here: Simons, D. J., Boot, W. R., Charness, N., Gathercole, S. E., Chabris, C. F., Hambrick, D. Z., & Stine-Morrow, E. A. L. (2016). Do “Brain-Training” Programs Work? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 17(3), 103–186. doi.org/10.1177/1529100616661983
