Experiments

Math

Definition

An experiment is a study in which the researcher deliberately imposes a treatment on subjects to observe the effect. Unlike observational studies, experiments can establish cause-and-effect relationships because variables are controlled.

Examples

  • Testing whether a new fertilizer increases plant growth by applying it to a treatment group
  • A clinical trial where patients randomly receive a drug or placebo
  • Comparing two teaching methods by randomly assigning students to each

Related Terms

Observational studies Bias Sampling methods Random variables

Study This Concept

Practice experiments with free review games in these units:

AP Statistics Unit 3: Collecting Data