What is the definition of an experiment?

An experiment is best defined as a procedure designed to test a fact or theory. This involves systematically manipulating variables to observe the effects of those changes under controlled conditions. The primary goal of an experiment is to establish relationships between different factors, allowing scientists to draw conclusions about cause-and-effect dynamics within a specific context.

In the framework of scientific inquiry, experiments are essential because they provide a structured environment where hypotheses can be tested and results can be replicated, leading to greater reliability and validity in findings. This process is foundational to the scientific method, which relies on empirical evidence collected through experiments to validate or refute theories.

Other options, while related to the scientific process, do not encompass the full essence of what defines an experiment. Measuring data, for instance, is a critical step within an experiment but does not capture the broader purpose of testing a hypothesis or theory through a specific procedural framework. Similarly, a testable hypothesis is an integral component of the experimental process, guiding the focus of the experiment, but it is not a definition of the experiment itself. Lastly, observation is crucial in gathering information, but it can occur independently of experimental manipulation, making it distinct from the concept of an experiment.