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PubMed, PICO & Evidence-Based Medicine

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Experimental vs. Observational Studies

An observational study is a study in which the investigator cannot control the assignment of treatment to subjects because the participants or conditions are not directly assigned by the researcher.

  • Examines predetermined treatments, interventions, policies, and their effects
  • Four main types: case series, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, and cohort studies

In an experimental study, the investigators directly manipulate or assign participants to different interventions or environments

Experimental studies that involve humans are called clinical trials. They fall into two categories: those with controls, and those without controls.

  • Controlled trials - studies in which the experimental drug or procedure is compared with another drug or procedure
  • Uncontrolled trials - studies in which the investigators' experience with the experimental drug or procedure is described, but the treatment is not compared with another treatment

Definitions taken from: White SE. Basic & Clinical Biostatistics. 5th ed. New York, N.Y: McGraw-Hill Education LLC; 2020.Retrieved April 21, 2022 from AccessMedicine

Levels of Evidence Pyramid

Levels of Evidence Pyramid created by Andy Puro, September 2014

The levels of evidence pyramid arranges study types from hierarchically, with filter information sources, i.e. meta analyses, systematic reviews, and practice guidelines at the top, and unfiltered information, i.e. randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and case reports at the bottom.

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