What is the purpose of a scientific experiment?

The purpose of a scientific experiment is to establish cause-and-effect relationships. This involves manipulating one variable to observe the effect it has on another variable, allowing scientists to understand how changes in one factor can directly influence another. This fundamental aspect of experimentation helps to provide insights and evidence that either support or refute hypotheses. By establishing these relationships, scientists can build a more accurate understanding of the natural world and make informed predictions based on their findings.

While confirming previous scientific findings, assessing the limits of scientific theories, and predicting future scientific trends are important aspects of scientific inquiry, they are often secondary to the primary goal of experimental design, which is to directly test and elucidate the links between different variables through observable evidence.