Science Experiments

Science experiments are an absolutely crucial and integral part in conduction scientific research. Science experiments become the manner in which data and findings that are collected to be put to the test and investigate any particular scientific inquiry. Science experiments allow for a systematic approach to apply logic when investigating a particular scientific question or problem and allow to test an explanation or hypothesis in order to prove its validity. The word experiment derives from the Latin word, ex-periri, that when defined means “to try out.”

Aside from testing a hypothesis, science experiments also are used to express any given relationship among variables. At its most basic purpose, science experiments are used to solve problems and to further support or deny theories, ideas, assumptions, or explanations. In the world of research, more often than not, a science experiment will be conducted using the scientific method. The scientific method delineates at set of steps or procedures: make an observation, ask a question, form an educated guess or hypothesis, test or experiment the hypothesis, analysis of the data and results, formulate an explanation or conclusion, and finally, to make the results known in order to allow the experiment to be conducted by others and produce the same results. The reason that scientific experiments are conducted is for the ultimate purpose of being a able to confirm or deny a hypothesis. Scientific experiments also have a variable factor in order to conclusively and accurate test the hypothesis. There is a control group, where no variable is introduced and is considered the regular or normal factor, and there is the variable group. The variable group is where the actual science experiment is taking place, for a change is introduced in order to compare with the control group. This type of scientific experiment is also referred to as a controlled experiment. In many cases, scientific experiments can not be conducted with such a method in mind. These types of scientific experiments are known as natural experiments. Because certain types of controlled experiments are extremely difficult or sometimes impossible, researchers may employ natural experiments to collect data. Natural experiments rely mostly on observations rather than testing the subject that is being studied. This type of scientific experiment may often yield results that are not entirely conclusive, but are necessary under certain circumstances. Natural experiments are often conducted in the fields of science where certain experiments simply can not be conducted. An example of such an experiment would be when light was discovered to have a measurable speed. Through observation of planets was able to support data that light could be measured in terms of speed. A controlled experiment would prove to be impossible because the scale of units being measured is astronomical, and thus, a natural experiment was used in order to gather enough conclusive data to support the hypothesis. Therefore, science experiments must be used and employed during scientific research in order to conclusively draw out results in order to provide for validity to an explanation for a scientific problem.