Experimental
Type of empirical investigation in which the conditions are prearranged in an attempt to rule out rival hypotheses and to discount the effects of confounding variables.
An experiment is a controlled manipulation of events in pursuit of the production of observations which are capable of contributing or leading to the confirmation or disconfirmation of one or more rival hypotheses or theories, in contrast to simply ‘happening upon’ relevant observations.
(see also: experience, experimental method, experimental group, scientific approach, pseudo-science, systematic evidence, evolution, anecdotal evidence, (conceptual) models, operational definition, critical thinking, theory (scientific), falsifiability, testability)
Back to: Glossary A-Z
Glossary of selected Judgement & Decision-making, Belief-related, and other Psychology terms A-Z »
» Return to belief, judgement, and clear thinking »
experimental, experiment, experimenter, definition: 'experimental', definition: 'experiment'
