Experimentally

Experimentally is an adverb used to describe something that is derived from or based on experiments, or performed by means of an experiment. It often signals that evidence or validation comes from empirical testing rather than theory alone, and is commonly contrasted with theoretically or computationally.

Etymology: The word is formed from the noun experiment plus the suffix -ly. Its linguistic roots lie in Latin experientia, passing through older stages of English from French and Germanic sources. The form is standard across scientific and scholarly writing in English.

Usage in scientific writing: Statements about validation or observation are frequently qualified as experimentally verified or observed. Examples include phrases such as “the reaction was measured experimentally” or “the model was experimentally validated under controlled conditions.” The term helps distinguish empirical results obtained through hands-on testing from those based solely on mathematical or conceptual reasoning.

Relation to related terms: Experimental (adj.) describes anything related to or used in experiments, while experimentation refers to the process of conducting experiments. Empirical describes knowledge gained from observation or experience, which can include non-experimental observations as well as experiments. In practice, experimentally emphasizes the evidentiary basis established by controlled testing.

Limitations and scope: As with any empirical claim, experimentally derived conclusions depend on study design, sample size, controls, and potential biases. Replication and transparent methodology are important for assessing the reliability and generalizability of experimentally obtained results.