How Do Observational and Experimental Studies Differ?
Observational studies involve monitoring subjects without intervention from the researchers. They are instrumental in identifying associations and potential risk factors. For instance, cohort studies follow a group of people over time to examine the relationship between exposure and outcomes. In contrast, experimental studies, such as RCTs, involve the deliberate alteration of variables to observe the effects of such changes. This aspect makes experimental studies more robust in establishing causality.
