Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Experiments are controlled tests or investigations conducted to gather data and analyze the effects of specific variables. They involve manipulating independent variables and measuring their impact on dependent variables.
Related terms
Control Group: A control group is a part of an experiment that does not receive the treatment or manipulation being tested, serving as a baseline for comparison.
Independent Variable: The independent variable is the factor that researchers manipulate or change in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
Dependent Variable: The dependent variable is the outcome or response that researchers measure in an experiment, which depends on changes made to the independent variable.