Question

What are some differences between observational studies and experiments and what are issues that may arise during data collection or interpretation?

Answer 1

The disadvantage of observational studies and experiments is the difficulty of collecting accurate data. In this case, the data that is collected may be unreliable since it underwent subjectively and not objectively. This may alter the results without you knowing it and will result in an unreliable interpretation of the data.  

Answer 2

Observational studies are those in which the researcher does not influence the phenomenon he is studying. As the name states, he simply observes as the phenomenon takes place. On the other hand, experiments require the researcher to interfere with the phenomenon, or cause it, in order to study it.

An issue that can arise from observational studies is that, due to the lack of control that a researcher has, it is not always easy to determine the conditions that are necessary for that phenomenon to take place. In the case of experimental studies, one of the problems is that experiments are usually reduced to the natural world, as experimenting in the human world raises many ethical problems.