Consensus methods Techniques used to reach agreement on a particular issue. Consensus methods may be used to develop NICE guidance if there is not enough good quality research evidence to give a clear answer to a question. Formal consensus methods include Delphi and nominal group techniques. Control group A group of people in a study who do not receive the treatment or test being studied. Instead, they may receive the standard treatment (sometimes called usual care ) or a dummy treatment (placebo). The results for the control group are compared with those for a group receiving the treatment being tested. The aim is to check for any differences. Ideally, the people in the control group should be as similar as possible to those in the treatment group, to make it as easy as possible to detect any Chronic Heart Failure Glossary NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights. ISBN: 978-1-4731-3093-7 Term Definition effects due to the treatment. Cost benefit analysis (CBA) Cost benefit analysis is one of the tools used to carry out an economic evaluation. The costs and benefits are measured using the same monetary units (for example, pounds sterling) to see whether the benefits exceed the costs. Cost consequences analysis (CCA) Cost consequences analysis is one of the tools used to carry out an economic evaluation. This compares the costs (such as treatment and hospital care) and the consequences (such as health outcomes) of a test or treatment with a suitable alternative. Unlike cost benefit analysis or cost- effectiveness analysis, it does not attempt to summarise outcomes in a single measure (like the quality-adjusted life year) or in financial terms. 