StellarWhy Experiments > Observational Studies
The key advantage of experiments: They allow us to establish causation.
Why? In an experiment, researchers control who gets which treatment — this removes confounding.
Experimental unit Treatment Factor Level
Example: To test whether a new drug lowers blood pressure:
- Factor: type of treatment
- Levels: new drug vs. placebo
- Response variable: blood pressure change
- Experimental units: patients