OBSERVATIONAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does observational mean? 

• OBSERVATIONAL (adjective)
  The adjective OBSERVATIONAL has 1 sense:

1. relying on observation or experiment

  Familiarity information: OBSERVATIONAL used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OBSERVATIONAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Relying on observation or experiment

Synonyms:

data-based; experimental; observational

Context example:

experimental results that supported the hypothesis

Similar:

empiric; empirical (derived from experiment and observation rather than theory)

 Context examples 

However, the study used self-reported alcohol consumption and relied on observational data, so no firm conclusions can me made about cause and effect.

(Drinking more than five pints a week could shorten your life, University of Cambridge)

A subdivision of clinical observational data.

(Clinical Observation Subcategory, NCI Thesaurus)

An observational assessment that is used to measure the quality of a person's activities of daily living (ADL).

(Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, NCI Thesaurus)

The findings show observational associations rather than cause and effect.

(Moderate Carbohydrate Intake May be Best for Health, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Astronomers have long theorized that these winds would also drag the galaxy's magnetic field in the same direction, but despite numerous studies, there has been no observational proof of the concept.

(Galactic Wind Provides Clues to Evolution of Galaxies, NASA)

A new study gives the first observational evidence that the southern Amazon rainforest triggers its own rainy season using water vapor from plant leaves.

(New Study Shows the Amazon Makes Its Own Rainy Season, NASA)

The researchers want to add to this current observational study to establish, through randomized controlled trials, that eating fish can lead to better sleep, better school performance and other real-life, practical outcomes.

(Weekly Fish Consumption Linked to Better Sleep, Higher IQ, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

In their study, the researchers used observational data to calculate the sublimation rates at various points on Europa's surface and thus used these to estimate the size and distribution of penitentes.

(Icy Warning for Space Missions to Jupiter's Moon, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Observational studies have reported an association between low levels of vitamin D and increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

(Vitamin D does not prevent type 2 diabetes in people at high risk, National Institutes of Health)

The evidence gathered in the study is based on the findings of meta-analyses and systematic reviews of observational studies, randomized controlled trials, and reviews.

(Adequate intake of milk and dairy products in different life stages helps prevent chronic diseases, University of Granada)