Which research method is effective for establishing cause and effect?

Experiments are the most effective research method for establishing cause and effect relationships. This is because experiments involve controlled conditions where researchers can manipulate one or more independent variables to observe the effect on a dependent variable. By randomly assigning participants to different groups and controlling for extraneous variables, researchers can draw more reliable conclusions about how changes in the independent variable directly affect the dependent variable.

This level of control is unique to experimental research, allowing for strong inferences about causality that cannot be as directly inferred through surveys, tracking, or observational studies. In those other methods, while they can provide valuable data and insights, they often lack the control needed to definitively determine cause and effect. Surveys gather subjective opinions or experiences, tracking simply monitors behaviors over time without manipulation, and observation involves noting occurrences without interference or control, which may lead to correlation rather than causation.