In this video we discuss what are observational and experimental studies in statistics and give some examples of each. Transcript/notes
Observational and experimental studies
There are many different ways to classify statistical studies with the 2 main types being an observational study and an experimental study.
In an observational study, the researcher observes happenings and measures characteristics of interest, and tries to draw conclusions based on the observations. The researcher observes part of a population but does not influence or change existing conditions. An example of this would be a researcher observing driving patterns on busy city streets.
In an experimental study the researcher manipulates a variable and tries to determine how the manipulation affects other variables. For instance a researcher may have 2 groups, a treatment group and a control group and take the resting heart rates of each individual of each of the groups.
The treatment group can be given specific instructions, maybe take a 30 minute walk every evening for 4 weeks, and the control group can be told to not change their normal evening routine for the next 4 weeks. After the 4 weeks are up, the researcher can check the resting heart rates of each of the individuals of each of the groups to see if there were any differences between the groups.
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