Use Sophia to knock out your gen-ed requirements quickly and affordably. Learn more
×

Observational Studies and Experiments by Ryan Backman

Author: Sophia
Terms to Know
Experiment

A type of study where researchers impose treatments on the participants or experimental units.

Experimental Unit

An animal or thing involved in an experiment.

Observational Study

A type of study where researchers can observe the participants, but not affect the behavior or outcomes in any way.

Prospective Study

A study that begins by selecting participants, tracking them, and keeping data on the subjects as they go into the future.

Retrospective Study

A study that observes what happened to the subjects in the past, in an effort to understand how they became the way they are in the present.

Subjects/Participants

The people or things being examined in an observational study.