If I conduct a scientific study without using a control group, does that diminish the validity of the study?

I am considering a research study. If I conduct the study without using a control group, does that diminish the validity of the study? If it is possible to use a control group --- and I choose not to --- can someone rightfully call my study "invalid" and "unscientific"?





Thank you for your answers on this question about scientific research.|||That really depends on the study. Control groups are necessary in things like medical research, but unheard-of in fields like astrophysics. Not all research can be conducted the same way.|||I actually disagree with eri, control groups are extremely important in medical research, especially when researching a drug. In general, if you're doing a study that involves polling people or researching people's behaviors, a control group is not needed. But if you're researching something that's being tested, you'll want a control group that can verify that what you're testing does indeed have the effects you're claiming it has. So, its not necessarily invalid, it's just that you might be lacking in something to compare your study too.|||Some exceptional studies don't actually require a control group.


[For example, I did a short correlational study and it wasnt that I didn't want a control, but the study I did made it extremely difficult to find a control group]


but most scientific studies does. A control group is present to show basically whats the difference between control and experimental. Basically your purpose -and proof of results.


If you CAN make a control group I suggest you do it.