controlled experiment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Academic / Scientific / Technical
Quick answer
What does “controlled experiment” mean?
A scientific test in which only one variable is changed at a time, while all other conditions are kept constant, to observe the effect of that variable.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A scientific test in which only one variable is changed at a time, while all other conditions are kept constant, to observe the effect of that variable.
Any systematic investigation in which a researcher deliberately manipulates one factor (independent variable) and measures the effect on another (dependent variable), while using control groups and randomization to minimise bias and establish causality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling follows standard BrE/AmE conventions for the constituent words.
Connotations
Identical. Carries the same weight of scientific rigour in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in academic and scientific discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “controlled experiment” in a Sentence
[Researcher] conducted a controlled experiment on [subject] to test [hypothesis].A controlled experiment was performed to determine the effect of [X] on [Y].The findings from the controlled experiment suggest that...We need a properly controlled experiment to verify this claim.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “controlled experiment” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team are planning to conduct a controlled experiment next quarter.
- To properly test the hypothesis, one must carefully control the experiment.
American English
- The team is planning to run a controlled experiment next quarter.
- To properly test the hypothesis, you need to tightly control the experiment.
adverb
British English
- The trial was controlled-experimentally rigorous.
- (Usage as adverb is extremely rare and awkward; typically paraphrased)
American English
- The study was designed in a controlled-experimental fashion.
- (Usage as adverb is extremely rare and awkward; typically paraphrased)
adjective
British English
- She published a paper on controlled-experiment methodology.
- The controlled-experiment design was approved by the ethics committee.
American English
- She published a paper on controlled-experiment methodology.
- The controlled-experiment design was approved by the ethics board.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in R&D contexts or marketing A/B testing to imply rigorous comparison: 'We ran a controlled experiment with two different ad copies.'
Academic
Primary context. Found in methodologies of scientific papers across disciplines from psychology to biology.
Everyday
Very low frequency. Used when discussing science news or debunking claims: 'Was that a controlled experiment or just an observation?'
Technical
Core terminology in research methodology, statistics, and laboratory science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “controlled experiment”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “controlled experiment”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “controlled experiment”
- Using 'controlled experiment' to describe any experiment with a control group, even if other variables aren't properly controlled.
- Confusing it with 'control experiment', which is a specific test under standard/normal conditions.
- Using it as a verb phrase: 'We controlled experiment the plants.' (Incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'control group' is a component of a controlled experiment (the group that does not receive the treatment). The 'controlled experiment' is the entire methodological design that includes the control group and the manipulation of variables.
Yes. Field experiments can also be controlled if researchers successfully manipulate one variable and control for others in a natural setting, though it is more challenging than in a lab.
A Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) is a specific, highly rigorous type of controlled experiment where participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, which is considered the gold standard in clinical and social sciences.
They allow researchers to infer causality, not just correlation. By isolating the effect of a single variable, they provide the strongest evidence that a change in one factor directly causes a change in another.
A scientific test in which only one variable is changed at a time, while all other conditions are kept constant, to observe the effect of that variable.
Controlled experiment is usually academic / scientific / technical in register.
Controlled experiment: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈtrəʊld ɪkˈspɛrɪmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈtroʊld ɪkˈspɛrəmənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The gold standard of research”
- “Put it to the test (in a controlled way)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a scientist in a white lab coat holding up one dial labelled 'VARIABLE' and keeping all the other dials in a locked 'CONTROL' box.
Conceptual Metaphor
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IS A PURIFICATION PROCESS (where extraneous factors are filtered out).
Practice
Quiz
What is the MOST critical feature of a controlled experiment?