experimenting
Testing new approaches
Experimenting is trying things out to see what happens.
Scientists experiment with controlled variables; cooks experiment with ingredients; teenagers experiment with identity, drugs, or sexuality.
The word suggests openness to outcomes rather than commitment: We're just experimenting with the relationship.
To experiment is to test possibilities without knowing where they'll lead.
Generating many ideas freely
- ideationForming mental concepts
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- prototypingMaking preliminary models
- iterationRepeated procedural pass
tinkering · play · exploration · trial and error · sketching · riffing · freeform · unconventional
Testable proposed explanation
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
- controlAuthority to direct
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
empirical · data · analysis · replication · falsifiability · quantitative · qualitative · observation
Extracting subset for study
- exploringTraveling to learn firsthand
- adventurousInclined toward risky endeavors
- open-mindedReceptive to different ideas
- dabblingShallow, casual involvement
recreational · boundary-pushing · self-discovery · alternative · counterculture · substances · psychedelics · microdosing
Sudden important advance
- eurekaDiscovery triumph cry
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
finding · uncovering · detecting · unveiling · epiphany · anomaly · curiosity · exploration
Preliminary test attempt
- pilot studySmall preliminary research trial
- betaGreek alphabet's second letter
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
benchmarks · control group · placebo · calibration · field test · usability · debugging · stress test
Involving direct physical engagement
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- trial and errorLearning through repeated attempts
skill-building · exploration · inquiry-based · discovery learning · active learning · making mistakes · workshopping · sandbox
brainstorming
Generating many ideas freely
- ideationForming mental concepts
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- prototypingMaking preliminary models
iteration · tinkering · play · exploration · trial and error · sketching · riffing · freeform · unconventional · boundary-pushing
hypothesis
Testable proposed explanation
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
- controlAuthority to direct
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
methodology · empirical · data · analysis · replication · falsifiability · quantitative · qualitative · observation · evidence
sampling
Extracting subset for study
- exploringTraveling to learn firsthand
- adventurousInclined toward risky endeavors
- open-mindedReceptive to different ideas
dabbling · recreational · boundary-pushing · self-discovery · alternative · counterculture · substances · psychedelics · microdosing · free love
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- eurekaDiscovery triumph cry
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
revelation · finding · uncovering · detecting · unveiling · epiphany · anomaly · curiosity · exploration · observation
trial run
Preliminary test attempt
- pilot studySmall preliminary research trial
- betaGreek alphabet's second letter
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
validation · benchmarks · control group · placebo · calibration · field test · usability · debugging · stress test · simulation
hands-on
Involving direct physical engagement
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
trial and error · skill-building · exploration · inquiry-based · discovery learning · active learning · making mistakes · workshopping · sandbox · immersion
- researchstudy, research papers, researching, archive, peer review
- tinkeringfiddling, puttering, pottering, tweaking, dabbling
- trying things outtesting, trialing, attempting, tryout, trial run
- experimentationtrial run, test run, attempts, guess and check, guesswork
- physics experimentstesting, measuring, dropping, rolling, spinning
- improvisingad-lib, ad-libbing, riff, riffing, jamming
experimentingconforming
Meeting accepted standards
playing it safe · standardizing · replicating · toeing the line · executing
experimentingcommitting
Carrying out an act
finalizing · deciding · implementing · executing · locking in
experimentingpreserving
Protecting from deterioration
conserving · maintaining · standing pat · traditionalism · stagnating
experience, experiment, experimental, experiences, experiments, experimented, experimentation, experimentalist, experimentalism