Final answer:
Controlled experimentation is central to the scientific method, allowing researchers to manipulate variables and measure effects in a controlled environment to find solutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A form of controlled experimentation is used in laboratory studies when testing several solutions to a problem. This type of experiment is a crucial aspect of the scientific method, which is a systematic procedure scientists use to search for answers to questions and solutions to problems. During a controlled experiment, researchers manipulate one or more independent variables and measure the effect on one or more dependent variables while controlling for extraneous variables to ensure the validity of the results.
Throughout this process, scientists make observations, formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and then draw conclusions based on the data they've collected. This method allows for a repeatable and systematic approach to scientific inquiry and is fundamental to gaining insights in various scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, and physics.