Experiments

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.

• Experimental group: The group in an experiment that receives the treatment.

• 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.

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