How to properly conduct an experiment

[Matt Timion]

Experiments must be run in a certain way in order to reduce error. Error is introduced into any experiment as a result of conditions that are different from group to group. What this means that is that we must attempt to keep as many things the same as possible between experimental conditions.

I will explain the rules for participating in experiments, and then give an example.

Before testing a particular method, you must pick a stretch of highway/free which you can travel on uninterupted for a long period of time. If you can travel for 100-120 miles one way, it is better. The reason we pick highways and freeways over city driving is simple. There is too much potential error to be introducted into city driving. For example, if before testing you have all red lights, and after making a modification you have all green lights, it would be unknown if the increased gas mileage is due to the modification you made or due to the fact that you had zero idling time. Traveling on the highway reduces error that can be introduced due to idling, red lights, trains, traffic, etc.

You will first obtain a base measure of your gas mileage. To do this you must fill up your gas tank, travel the strip of highway/freeway and then travel back. You must then fill up immediately. Divid total miles driven by total gallons of gas and that is your gas mileage prior to modification. You then will make the modification to you car (fuel additive, engine contraption, etc) and the make the same trek, using the exact same method. Your new gas mileage will be compared to your old one. Since the only thing that changed was your modification, it can safely be assumed that your modification is the reason for gas mileage increases or decreases.

It is vital that you also maintain the same speed, have the same tire pressure, etc for both trips. Keep as much the same as possible.

Report your results on the thread dedicated to your experiment. When enough people have weighed in their results, statistical analysis will be run and the final report will be written up.