control experiment

American  

noun

1. an experiment in which the variables are controlled so that the effects of varying one factor at a time may be observed.

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control experiment British  

noun

1. an experiment designed to check or correct the results of another experiment by removing the variable or variables operating in that other experiment. The comparison obtained is an indication or measurement of the effect of the variables concerned

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Etymology

Origin of control experiment

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

"Failure after failure, then we found something we weren't expecting in the mess -- a real diamond in the rough. And it is all thanks to a failed control experiment," Vahey said.

From Science Daily

To confirm that the observed differences were truly caused by the actin mutation and not by other genetic variations, the researchers performed a crucial control experiment.

From Science Daily

In a control experiment, it was investigated whether similar sensations could also be perceived without visual contact with virtual objects purely due to experimental situation demands.

From Science Daily

Dr. Kohda emphasized the need for more control experiments to rule out other possibilities.

From New York Times

“It was an incredibly powerful control experiment for something that wasn’t really on many people’s radar at the time,” he says.

From Scientific American