The Problem With an Observational Study

Psychologist Dr. Ali Matu says psychological science is experimentation, highly controlling an environment and only manipulating one experimental variable. This type of research can tell us a lot about the relationship between cause and effect but it can sometimes lack external validity. Ben: Can we certainly know that there are versions of this that are manipulated? The problem with an observational study wherein you and I are also being observed by the participants in the study, whether or not they have consented to this, will falsify the information. Taint. That's a great word. One of my favorites.