Which statement correctly describes test article and control article roles?

Which statement correctly describes test article and control article roles?

• A. The test article must always be a marketed product
• B. The control article is never used
• C. The test article is the substance being tested; the control article is used for comparison
• D. The test article is optional

Answer: (C)

In testing, you have one variable you’re evaluating—the test article—alongside a baseline for comparison—the control article. The test article is the substance being studied to observe its effects, while the control article is used to provide a standard against which those effects are measured, matching all conditions except for the presence of the active component. This setup lets you attribute any observed differences to the test article rather than to random variation or other factors. The test article does not have to be a marketed product; it can be a novel compound, formulation, or dose. The control article is intentionally used as a reference (such as a vehicle or placebo) to establish a baseline, and the idea that the test article is optional is incorrect.

In testing, you have one variable you’re evaluating—the test article—alongside a baseline for comparison—the control article. The test article is the substance being studied to observe its effects, while the control article is used to provide a standard against which those effects are measured, matching all conditions except for the presence of the active component. This setup lets you attribute any observed differences to the test article rather than to random variation or other factors. The test article does not have to be a marketed product; it can be a novel compound, formulation, or dose. The control article is intentionally used as a reference (such as a vehicle or placebo) to establish a baseline, and the idea that the test article is optional is incorrect.