Which method of experimentation tends to confirm or refute a hypothesis?

Experimentation is the method of experimentation that is specifically designed to confirm or refute a hypothesis. In scientific research, a hypothesis is a testable statement about the relationship between variables, and experimentation involves manipulating one or more of these variables to observe the effects. This process allows scientists to gather empirical evidence that can validate or challenge the initial hypothesis.

Through experimentation, researchers can create controlled conditions to isolate variables and systematically test their effects. This control helps to ensure that the results are due to the variables being tested and not other factors, providing a clear insight into whether the hypothesis holds true or needs to be revised.

While observation, data analysis, and repetition play essential roles in the scientific method—observation helps identify phenomena, data analysis helps interpret results, and repetition ensures reliability of findings—they do not directly test a hypothesis in the way that experimentation does. Experimentation is integral to the scientific process because it generates the data needed to draw meaningful conclusions about the validity of the hypothesis.