A test method is a method for a test in science or engineering, such as a physical test, chemical test, or statistical test. It is a specified procedure that produces a test result. To ensure accurate and relevant results, a test method should be "explicit, unambiguous, and experimentally feasible.", as well as effective and reproducible.
A test is an observation or experiment that determines one or more characteristics of a given sample, product, process, or service, with the purpose of comparing the test result to expected or desired results. The results can be qualitative (yes/no), quantitative (a measured value), or categorical and can be derived from personal observation or the output of a precision measuring instrument.