An experiment is a carefully designed and artificially created situation that allows the researcher to manipulate one or more variables (the independent variables) to observe their effect on another variable (the dependent variable), while controlling for other factors that might influence the outcome. Experiments are a key method in quantitative research aimed at establishing causal relationships between variables. They typically involve an experimental group that is exposed to the independent variable and a control group that is not, with both groups being as similar as possible in all other respects, often achieved through random assignment of participants. By comparing the changes in the dependent variable between the experimental and control groups, researchers can draw conclusions about the causal impact of the independent variable. Experiments can be conducted in laboratory settings to maximise control or in field settings to increase ecological validity.