What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
observational
Example
The researchers conducted an observational study to determine the effects of pollution on the local wildlife. [observational: adjective]
Example
She spent months observing the behavior of chimpanzees in their natural habitat. [observing: present participle]
experimental
Example
The scientists conducted an experimental study to test the effectiveness of a new drug. [experimental: adjective]
Example
He designed an experiment to determine the effect of temperature on plant growth. [experiment: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Observational research is more commonly used in social sciences, such as psychology and sociology, while experimental research is more commonly used in natural sciences, such as biology and chemistry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between observational and experimental?
Both observational and experimental are formal terms used in academic and scientific contexts.
