Experimental design refers to the process of planning and organizing an experiment in order to obtain reliable and valid results. It involves identifying variables, selecting appropriate controls, determining sample size, and establishing protocols for data collection and analysis.
Think of experimental design as creating a recipe for baking cookies. You need to carefully measure ingredients, follow specific steps in order, control variables like oven temperature and baking time, and record observations along the way. Just like following a well-designed recipe ensures delicious cookies every time, proper experimental design leads to accurate scientific results.
Variables: Factors that can be changed or controlled in an experiment.
Control Group: A group in an experiment that does not receive any treatment or intervention and is used as a baseline for comparison.
Data Analysis: The process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information and drawing conclusions from it.
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