Experiment! (PDF)

Experiments are the most effective way to learn about the world.
By cleverly interfering with something to see how it reacts we are
able to find out how it works. In contrast to passive observation,
experimenting provides us with data relevant to our research and
thus less time and effort is spent separating relevant from
irrelevant information.

The art of experimentation is often learnt by doing, so an
intuitive understanding of the experimental method usually evolves
gradually through years of trial and error. This book speeds up the
journey for the reader to becoming a proficient
experimenter.

Organized in two parts, this unique text begins by providing a
general introduction to the scientific approach to
experimentation. It then describes the processes and tools
required, including the relevant statistical and experimental
methods. Towards the end of the book a methodology is
presented, which leads the reader through the three phases of an
experiment: 'Planning', 'Data Collection',
and 'Analysis and Synthesis'.

Experiment!

* Provides an excellent introduction to the methodology and
implementation of experimentation in the natural, engineering and
medical sciences

* Puts practical tools into scientific context

* Features a number of selected actual experiments to explore
what are the key characteristics of good experiments

* Includes examples and exercises in every chapter

This book focuses on general research skills, such as adopting a
scientific mindset, learning how to plan meaningful experiments and
understanding the fundamentals of collecting and interpreting data.
It is directed to anyone engaged in experiments, especially Ph.D.
and masters students just starting to create and develop their own
experiments.