Final answer:
A quasi-experimental study differs from an experimental study in that it does not involve random assignment of subjects to treatment groups, which limits its ability to establish causality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key difference between an experimental and a quasi-experimental study is that the quasi-experimental study does not involve random assignment. In an experimental study, subjects are randomly assigned to control or treatment groups, which helps to eliminate lurking variables and establish a causal relationship. Conversely, a quasi-experimental study lacks this randomization, often due to ethical or practical constraints, and therefore cannot establish causality with the same level of certainty.