Experiment meaning (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Experiment:

Experiment is the process by which one or more independent variables, defined as causes, are intentionally manipulated for the subsequent analysis of the consequences they have on other variables identified as effects.

The word experiment derives from the Latin verb experiri which means to experiment or prove. It is made up of the prefix ex - which indicates a “separation from within”, from the root peri - which indicates an attempt or risk and finally the suffix - mentum of experimentum that indicates the action and effect of experiencing.

In research methodology, a discipline that systematizes the techniques that must be followed in the process of scientific research, scientific or chemical experiments, for example, are characterized by the following points:

• There is intentional manipulation of one or more independent variables determined as causes. There is a greater probability of replicating the experience, anywhere and following the same procedure. The results show the real magnitude of the effects.

See also:

• Research methodology Scientific research

In statistics, a deterministic experiment is a pure experiment, that is, with manipulation of identified and intentional variables, which lead to a known or safe result respecting the initial conditions.

Home experiments are those whose construction is easy and are designed to improve learning retention in children, such as the volcano experiment that consists of mixing ingredients (baking soda and vinegar) to cause a chemical reaction that simulate the eruption of a volcano.

Types of experiments

The experiments are classified according to the manipulation of the type of experimental group to be used and the degree of control over the variables for the measurement and obtaining of the effects or results. With this in mind, we can classify the experiments into 3 types according to Campbell and Stanley (1966):

• Pre-experiment: use of experimental groups chosen at the discretion of a larger group and with no or almost no presence of control. Quasi-experiment: use of historical groups, that is, those identified based on existing, real or historical groups and with relative presence of control. Pure experiment or random experiment: use of randomized experimental groups from a larger group and with the presence of control.