Experiments

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Experiments

Experiments (/ɪkˈspɛrɪmənts/) are systematic procedures carried out to support, refute, or validate a hypothesis. They provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs when a particular factor is manipulated.

Etymology

The term "experiment" comes from the Latin experimentum, from experiri meaning "to try, test".

Types of Experiments

There are several types of experiments, including:

  • Controlled experiments: These are experiments where all variables are held constant except for one. This allows the experimenter to isolate the effect of one variable on the outcome.
  • Field experiments: These are experiments conducted in the natural environment of the phenomena under study rather than in a laboratory setting.
  • Randomized controlled trials: These are experiments that randomly assign subjects to different groups to test the effectiveness of treatments.
  • Quasi-experiments: These are experiments that do not have random assignment to groups and are often used in social sciences.

Related Terms

  • Hypothesis: A proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested.
  • Variable: Any factor that can be controlled, changed, or measured in an experiment.
  • Control group: The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment and is used as a benchmark to measure how the other tested subjects do.
  • Placebo: A substance or treatment which is designed to have no therapeutic value.
  • Blind experiment: An experiment where information about the test is kept from the participant to reduce bias.
  • Double-blind experiment: An experiment where both the participant and the experimenter are unaware of which group received the treatment to further reduce bias.
Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.