Test method

A test method is a <a href="/facts/Methodology/dk5X9Hxx">method</a> for a test in <a href="/facts/Science/IJoaD7rs">science</a> or <a href="/facts/Engineering/RFVg8H3I">engineering</a>, such as a <a href="/facts/Physical_test/3xyX2v66">physical test</a>, <a href="/facts/Chemical_test/6J3u77Ic">chemical test</a>, or <a href="/facts/Statistical_hypothesis_testing/yv9RPF6U">statistical test</a>. It is a definitive procedure that produces a test result. In order to ensure accurate and relevant test results, a test method should be "explicit, unambiguous, and experimentally feasible.", as well as effective and reproducible.
A test can be considered an <a href="/facts/Observation/NTodmzCo">observation</a> or <a href="/facts/Experiment/esltM54f">experiment</a> that determines one or more characteristics of a given sample, product, process, or service. The purpose of testing involves a prior determination of expected observation and a comparison of that expectation to what one actually observes. The results of testing can be <a href="/facts/Qualitative_data/1F9eR1WP">qualitative</a> (yes/no), <a href="/facts/Quantitative_data/C1t5h075">quantitative</a> (a measured value), or <a href="/facts/Categorical_variable/3UQNkLqs">categorical</a> and can be derived from personal <a href="/facts/Observation/NTodmzCo">observation</a> or the output of a precision <a href="/facts/Measuring_instrument/gfkMHBNR">measuring instrument</a>.
Usually the test result is the <a href="/facts/Dependent_variable/dINfzIF2">dependent variable</a>, the measured response based on the particular conditions of the test or the level of the <a href="/facts/Independent_variable/dINfzIF2">independent variable</a>. Some tests, however, may involve changing the independent variable to determine the level at which a certain response occurs: in this case, the test result is the independent variable.

Test method open-in-new

Test method