Basic Concepts
In a nutshell: Understanding experiments helps you evaluate scientific results and make informed choices.
## The Building Blocks of Science
All scientific discoveries start with experiments! On the ACT, you'll read about how scientists design and carry out investigations.
### Parts of an Experiment
- **Hypothesis:** What are they trying to prove?
- **Variables:** What do they change, and what do they measure?
- **Control:** What stays the same to make the test fair?
## Using This Knowledge
Knowing how experiments work helps you judge the reliability of results—useful for both test questions and real-world decision-making, like evaluating product claims.
### Look Out For
- Flaws in experiment design
- Logical conclusions based on the data
Examples
- Identifying the independent variable in a study on fertilizer effects
- Spotting an invalid control group in a medical experiment