a bad experiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad experiment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the quality or outcome of a scientific test or trial that did not yield favorable results. Example: "The researchers concluded that a bad experiment led to inconclusive data, prompting them to redesign their methodology."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

From the point of view of aesthetic and intellectual elegance, it is a bad experiment.

The Guardian

"It was a bad experiment, let's just put it that way," Silas said.

The New York Times - Sports

" "It could've been the remnants of a bad experiment by the Iraqis," he added.

The New York Times

"The best way to kill a good idea is to do a bad experiment," says Crum.

The Guardian

That, said Dr. Ray Page, a colleague at Advanced Cell Technology, "is a bad experiment on a bad day in a cow lab".

The New York Times - Science

There's one thing worse than not running an experiment, and that's actually running a bad experiment because then you can get spurious results.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In a week where the reality gap between rich and poor and the fetid reality of our tax-dodging governing class has been laid bare, it feels like the end of a really bad experiment.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was a really, really bad experiment," Dr. Kostiuk said.

The New York Times - Tech

That means that clean power, clean cars, clean manufacturing, clean water and energy efficiency have to be the next great global industries — otherwise, we humans are going to be a bad biological experiment, whether the climate changes or not.

The New York Times

"It will mean something real for reconciliation and be the beginning of the end to this bad experiment in isolation".

The Guardian

This won't do with a general audience – they don't want to hear about a bunch of wrong theories and bad experiments; they want to learn what we really do know.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research, use "a bad experiment" to specifically denote an experiment that was poorly designed or executed, leading to unreliable or invalid results. This clearly communicates the issue without necessarily implying ethical concerns.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a bad experiment" is inherently worthless. Even flawed experiments can provide valuable insights, highlighting what doesn't work and guiding future research. Documenting these failures is crucial for scientific progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad experiment" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object within a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it denotes a test or trial that has yielded unfavorable or unreliable results.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bad experiment" is grammatically correct and, while not exceedingly common, is a recognizable term used to describe a flawed or unsuccessful scientific test. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's suitable for expressing concerns about the quality or outcome of a scientific endeavor. Although found in both scientific and journalistic contexts, it is important to remember that even "a bad experiment" may hold value in revealing what doesn't work or in prompting refinements in experimental design. Related phrases such as "a flawed study" or "an unsuccessful trial" can provide alternative ways to convey similar meanings while adjusting the specific focus. When using this phrase, carefully consider the context and ensure that your language does not unfairly dismiss potentially valuable, albeit imperfect, research.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flawed study

Focuses on the defects in the design or execution of the experiment.

an unsuccessful trial

Highlights the lack of desired outcome or result.

a poorly designed experiment

Emphasizes issues with the experimental setup.

a failed attempt

Suggests a broader context of trying something that did not work.

a misguided endeavor

Implies that the experiment was based on faulty reasoning.

a botched procedure

Highlights the mistakes occurred during the execution.

an unsound method

Focuses on the unreliability or invalidity of the experimental technique.

a fruitless investigation

Indicates that the experiment did not yield any useful information.

a detrimental test

Highlights the harm or damage caused by the experiment.

an abortive effort

Indicates that the experiment was prematurely terminated or abandoned.

FAQs

How can I use "a bad experiment" in a sentence?

You can use "a bad experiment" to describe a flawed scientific process, such as: "The inconclusive results were attributed to "a bad experiment" design." or "The study was retracted due to "a bad experiment" methodology."

What are some alternatives to "a bad experiment"?

Alternatives include "a flawed study", "an unsuccessful trial", or "a poorly designed experiment", each emphasizing different aspects of the experiment's shortcomings.

Which is correct: "a bad experiment" or "a poorly executed experiment"?

Both are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "A bad experiment" is more general, while "a poorly executed experiment" focuses specifically on the execution phase. The better choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "a failed experiment" and "a bad experiment"?

"A failed experiment" simply means the experiment didn't achieve its intended outcome. "A bad experiment" implies there were flaws in the design or execution, leading to unreliable results. A failed experiment might still be well-designed and executed, but simply not produce the desired outcome.