Step 1:

Observational Study :

In observational study, the sample population being studied is measured, or surveyed.

Observational study objective is to derive the cause - effect relationships.

Observational study does not gives the solutions for the problems.

Example :

The study to determine the relation between smokers and lung cancer is observational study

Step 2:

Experimental Study :

In an experimental study, the researcher takes measurements on the sample population.

The researcher manipulates on the data in some manner.

After the manipulation, the researcher re-measures using the same procedures to determine if the manipulation possibly changed the measurements.

Example :

The study to determine the relation between smokers and lung cancer.

Researchers collects the data of smokers an nonsmokers.

Now using this data, we find the data of lung cancer due to smoking and measures to be taken.

Step 3:

Difference between Observational Study and Experimental Study:

(1) The main difference between observational study and experiments is in the way the observation is done.

(2)

In an experiment, the researcher will undertake some experiment and not just make observations.

In observational study, the researcher simply makes an observation and arrives at a conclusion.

(3)

In observational study, no experiment is conducted. In this type of study the researcher relies more on data collected.

In an experiment, the researcher observes things through various studies.