Jack Westin MCAT Podcast Experimental vs Observational Studies: MCAT Psych/Soc MASTERCLASS
Nov 18, 2025
Dive into the intriguing world of research methods in psychology! Discover the key differences between experimental and observational studies and learn when causality can be concluded. Explore the nuances of cross-sectional versus longitudinal studies, and grasp the importance of internal and external validity. Classic case studies, from Phineas Gage to Milgram, highlight ethical concerns and provide insights on research design. Plus, get practical tips for identifying study types while tackling MCAT passages!
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Why Experiments Can Prove Causality
- Experimental studies let researchers assign exposures and thus can establish causality when well controlled.
- Experiments use randomization and control groups to reduce confounding and support cause-effect conclusions.
Limits Of Observational Research
- Observational studies cannot ethically or practically assign many human exposures, so they observe existing differences instead.
- They can show associations but cannot definitively prove causation due to uncontrolled confounders.
Avoid Claiming Causation From Observational Data
- When a passage describes observational research, avoid choosing answer choices that claim definitive causation.
- Prefer wording like "associated with" or "may be related to" when interpreting such studies.