True or False: Adding a control group can increase internal validity.

Adding a control group can indeed increase internal validity, which is essential in determining whether the effects observed in a study are genuinely due to the intervention or manipulation being tested, rather than other confounding variables. A control group serves as a baseline for comparison, allowing researchers to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

In experimental research, having a control group helps to mitigate potential biases and extraneous influences. It allows for a clearer interpretation of the results, as differences between the experimental group (which receives the intervention) and the control group (which does not) can be attributed directly to the intervention itself rather than to pre-existing differences or other external factors. This is particularly important when trying to establish causal relationships, as it strengthens the argument that the independent variable is responsible for any changes observed.

While it is acknowledged that some study designs may require a more nuanced approach, the fundamental concept that a control group enhances internal validity remains valid across various types of experimental studies.