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In a quasi-experiment, a group of participants who are not exposed to the treatment is referred to as a comparison group. This group serves as a benchmark against which the outcomes of the experimental group (those who do receive the treatment) can be compared. The comparison group is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment as it helps researchers understand what differences or changes can be attributed to the treatment itself versus other external factors.

While the term "control group" is often used in experimental designs to refer to a group that not only receives no treatment but is also matched closely with the experimental group, the term "comparison group" is preferred in quasi-experimental research. This is because quasi-experiments may not allow for random assignment of participants, making "comparison group" a more fitting description of the role that similar non-treated participants play in the study.

Understanding the context in which comparison groups are utilized reinforces their importance in drawing valid conclusions about causal relationships between an intervention and its outcomes.