An experimental study is the most powerful design in examining causal relationships. The three major types of experimental study in humans include clinical trial, field trial, and community trial, which differ by objectives, principles, implementations, and target populations. Clinical trial aims to evaluate the treatment effects of new drugs or therapies among patients to improve the prognosis. Field trial aims to examine the potential preventive effect of the intervention in reducing morbidity or mortality among healthy individuals. Community trial implements the intervention among healthy people at the group level instead of at the individual level. By performing experimental studies, researchers make causal inferences, confirm the risk factors and protective factors for diseases, and evaluate the effects of interventions in disease prevention and control.
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