2006-09-26 09:00:44 · 4 answers · asked by Me<3JB 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
A controlled experiment is one in which the scientist is able to keep all parameters constant, except for the experimental variable which he or she can change at will. That way, the scientist can measure the effects of changing that one variable, without having to account for how other changing parameters might have affected the results.
2006-09-26 09:03:09 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A controlled experiement is where the observer has eliminated any possibility for an outside influence on the outcome.
For example, if I wanted to see the farthest a bullet can go from a gun, an uncontrolled experiment would simply be me bringing my gun outside, and shooting. A controlled experiment would require me to fire the gun in a closed range, eliminating any wind or structures. I could then calculate the speed of the bullet and determine a more accurate number for my furthest shot.
2006-09-26 09:05:46 · answer #2 · answered by loggermin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A controlled experiment generally compares the results obtained from an experimental sample against a control sample, which is practically identical to the experimental sample except for the one aspect whose effect is being tested. A good example would be a drug trial. The sample or group receiving the drug would be the experimental one; and the one receiving the placebo would be the control one.
2006-09-26 09:06:15 · answer #3 · answered by DOZEDOT 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wikipedia has an excellent essay on controlled experiments:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experiment
There is another definition, set forth by cynics:
"A controlled experiment is on which proves what you say to be true and what your opponents say to be false." The control in this case is discarding data that would disprove the hypothesis. Sadly, this misuse occurs all too frequently.
2006-09-26 09:59:00 · answer #4 · answered by Helmut 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋