Final answer:
The fundamental difference between a correlational study and an experiment is that a correlational study aims to establish relationships between variables without manipulating them, while an experiment involves manipulating variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fundamental difference between a correlational study and an experiment is that a correlational study aims to establish relationships between variables without manipulating them, while an experiment involves manipulating variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships. In a correlational study, researchers measure the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables using a correlation coefficient, represented by 'r'. However, correlation does not indicate causation. On the other hand, experiments manipulate variables and use a control group to establish cause-and-effect relationships.