What term best describes a research design that aims to determine whether a cause-and-effect relationship exists between variables?

What term best describes a research design that aims to determine whether a cause-and-effect relationship exists between variables?

• A. Descriptive design
• B. Explanatory/Experimental design
• C. Correlational design
• D. Qualitative design

Answer: (B)

To determine whether one variable causes changes in another, you need a design that actively manipulates the suspected causal factor and controls other influences. An explanatory/experimental design does exactly that: researchers assign participants to different levels of the manipulated variable, ideally at random, and compare outcomes while keeping other factors constant. This setup establishes temporal order (the cause comes before the effect) and strengthens internal validity, making it possible to infer causality. Descriptive designs describe what exists but don’t test relationships. Correlational designs look for associations but can’t prove causation because a third variable could explain the link. Qualitative designs explore experiences or meanings rather than testing causal links. Therefore, the term that best describes a design aimed at determining causal relationships is explanatory/experimental design.

To determine whether one variable causes changes in another, you need a design that actively manipulates the suspected causal factor and controls other influences. An explanatory/experimental design does exactly that: researchers assign participants to different levels of the manipulated variable, ideally at random, and compare outcomes while keeping other factors constant. This setup establishes temporal order (the cause comes before the effect) and strengthens internal validity, making it possible to infer causality. Descriptive designs describe what exists but don’t test relationships. Correlational designs look for associations but can’t prove causation because a third variable could explain the link. Qualitative designs explore experiences or meanings rather than testing causal links. Therefore, the term that best describes a design aimed at determining causal relationships is explanatory/experimental design.