What is the difference between Observational Study and Experiments? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between Observational Study and Experiments?

Asked by R. Barnes, Last updated: Apr 11, 2024

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4 Answers

B. Denton

B. Denton

Who wants to travel all the world and capture all the moment in his camera.

B. Denton
B. Denton, Traveler, journalism, Greater Manchester

Answered Oct 15, 2020

There are two significant types of study involved in research, and the major discrepancy between these two kinds of study is in the way the observation is done. In experiments, manipulates every aspect of arriving at a successful conclusion. In an observational analysis, the researcher observes what has occurred in the past and what is currently happening.

It comes to decisions based on this research. In experiments, the researcher observes things through different studies. It can be said that there is social involvement in an observational study. A review that determines the relationship between smoking and lung cancer, for example, is an observational study.

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I. Muller

I. Muller

I. Muller
I. Muller, Math Professor, North Carolina

Answered Oct 07, 2020

When you say observational study, this is the type of study wherein you will notice that there are no changes that are happening. The only thing that you have to do is to record everything that you see. When you try to do an experiment, this is the process wherein you can decide on the things that you can and cannot control.

You would also be observing the things that would happen based on the things that you would do in order to warrant that effect. Take note that in experiments, there are usually control groups and testable groups that will be available.

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C. Marcus

C. Marcus

C. Marcus
C. Marcus, Content Developer, Washington

Answered Sep 16, 2020

Observational study and experiments are two aspects that are involved in a research study. There is much difference between the observational study and experiments, in which the main difference is the way observation is done.

In an experiment, the researcher conducts some experiments and does not just make observations. When an experiment is conducted, the researcher manipulates different aspects of deriving a conclusion. The researcher also observes things through various studies meaning there is human intervention during an experiment.

The observational study involves when the researcher makes observation and drives at a conclusion.in an observational study no experiment is conducted. During an observational study the researcher observes what has happened in the past, what is happening now and draws the conclusion from these data.

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M. Klose

M. Klose

M. Klose
M. Klose, Content Writer, Oakland

Answered May 05, 2020

When we are talking about experiments and observational study, they are the major types of study employed in research making. But the means through which the observation is being carried out defines the major differences between the two.

As the names imply, a researcher simply draws out a conclusion after making some observations in the observational study, while on the contrary, a researcher draws out his conclusion after carrying out some experiments. Observational studies are only drawn out after collating some data, probably based on some past and present occurrences. It does not necessarily need human intervention.

On the other hand, there are various human interventions made in carrying out multiple studies just to arrive at a reasonable conclusion. Typical examples for experiments are the Hawthorne studies; whereas, a perfect example for the observational study is a means whereby you study the relationship between smoking and lung cancer.

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