Difference between observational and interventional studies
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Observational studies
Observational studies are ones where researchers observe the effect of a risk factor, diagnostic test, treatment or other intervention without trying to change who is or isn’t exposed to it. Cohort studies and case control studies are two types of observational studies.
Cohort study: For research purposes, a cohort is any group of people who are linked in some way. For instance, a birth cohort includes all people born within a given time frame. Researchers compare what happens to members of the cohort that have been exposed to a particular variable to what happens to the other members who have not been exposed.
Case control study: Here researchers identify people with an existing health problem (“cases”) and a similar group without the problem (“controls”) and then compare them with respect to exposure.
Experimental studies
Experimental studies are ones where researchers introduce an intervention and study the effects. Experimental studies are usually randomized, meaning the subjects are grouped by chance.
Randomized controlled trial (RCT): Eligible people are randomly assigned to two or more groups. One group receives the intervention (such as a new drug) while the control group receives nothing or an inactive placebo. The researchers then study what happens to people in each group. Any difference in outcomes can then be linked to the intervention.
Observational studies are ones where researchers observe the effect of a risk factor, diagnostic test, treatment or other intervention without trying to change who is or isn’t exposed to it. Cohort studies and case control studies are two types of observational studies.
Cohort study: For research purposes, a cohort is any group of people who are linked in some way. For instance, a birth cohort includes all people born within a given time frame. Researchers compare what happens to members of the cohort that have been exposed to a particular variable to what happens to the other members who have not been exposed.
Case control study: Here researchers identify people with an existing health problem (“cases”) and a similar group without the problem (“controls”) and then compare them with respect to exposure.
Experimental studies
Experimental studies are ones where researchers introduce an intervention and study the effects. Experimental studies are usually randomized, meaning the subjects are grouped by chance.
Randomized controlled trial (RCT): Eligible people are randomly assigned to two or more groups. One group receives the intervention (such as a new drug) while the control group receives nothing or an inactive placebo. The researchers then study what happens to people in each group. Any difference in outcomes can then be linked to the intervention.
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