nonexperimental
UK[ˌnɒnɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl]US[ˌnɑːnɪkˌspɛrɪˈmɛntəl]
adj
not involving or based on a scientific experiment, especially when describing a research method or study design.
Morpheme Breakdown
non
experimental
non
not
experimental
relating to experiment
Etymology
the word 'nonexperimental' is a modern english formation built upon the well-established adjective 'experimental'. the prefix 'non-', directly borrowed from latin, is one of the most common and productive means of forming negation in english. the core word 'experimental' itself derives from the latin 'experimentum', meaning a trial or test, which originates from the verb 'experiri' (to try, to test). this verb is built from 'ex-' (out) and a root related to 'periculum' (danger, trial), pointing to an original sense of testing something by going through a perilous experience. therefore, 'nonexperimental' logically constructs its meaning by negating the concept of being based on a controlled test or trial, precisely describing research methodologies that rely on observation, correlation, or analysis without direct manipulation of variables.
Analysis
Structure: non (not) + experimental (relating to experiment)
non: from latin 'non', meaning 'not'. a prefix used to form negatives.
experimental: from latin 'experimentum' (a trial, test) via old french. the suffix '-al' forms adjectives meaning 'of or pertaining to'. in this compound, it functions as the base adjective.
Examples
the researchers used a nonexperimental, correlational design to analyze the existing survey data.
nonexperimental studies are valuable for exploring relationships in real-world settings where controlled experiments are unethical or impractical.
critics argued that the findings were limited due to the nonexperimental nature of the study.