Defining Military Experiments
Abstract
DoD recently established experimentation as a new military mission. Experimentation supports innovation, transformation, and the revolution in military affairs. However, experimentation, in a military context, is not adequately defined. DoD documents, congressional speeches, and scholarly literature on the topic have been examined for meaning and intent. Scientific texts on both basic and applied research have been examined for more general and formal definitions. Four models for military experiments are presented: (1) the hypothesis-testing laboratory experiment practiced by physical scientists, (2) heuristically guided experimentation from the field research method practiced by behavioral, social, and life scientists, (3) the goal-seeking experiment practiced by engineers and inventors that results in prototypes or patents, and (4) the performance-measuring experiment as conducted by social scientists and policy analysts. Of the four, the hypothesis testing experiment appears to be serving as the defector model for military experimentation, yet it has the least utility in fostering innovation and a revolution in military affairs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA375425
Entities
People
- D. R. Worley
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses