Final answer:
An experiment is usually preferred over an observational study when feasible, but researchers sometimes cannot carry out a study in an experimental framework due to practical or ethical reasons.
Step-by-step explanation:
An experiment is usually preferred over an observational study when both types of studies are feasible in order to establish causation.
However, there are situations where it is not possible for researchers to carry out a study in an experimental framework.
For example, it may be impractical or unethical to manipulate variables in certain research questions. In these cases, observational studies are used to observe and measure naturally occurring phenomena without direct manipulation of the variables.
Observational studies are generally cheaper and easier to conduct and can provide a larger set of data than experimental studies.