Is data worthless without experimental control?

Answer 1

Data can be misleading or ambiguous without experimental control, as it lacks the context needed to establish causal relationships. Experimental control helps isolate variables, allowing researchers to determine whether observed effects are due to the variables being manipulated. Without this control, data may reflect confounding factors or random noise, rendering it less valuable for drawing reliable conclusions. Thus, while data itself isn't worthless, its interpretative value is significantly diminished without proper experimental controls.