Which of the following study designs can determine a cause-and-effect relationship?

Option #1: an observational study

Option #2: an experimental study

Option #3: a survey

A
Option #1

B
Option #2

C
Option #3

1 answer

B Option #2: an experimental study

Experimental studies are specifically designed to determine cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating one or more independent variables and observing the effect on one or more dependent variables, often using random assignment to control for confounding factors. Observational studies and surveys, on the other hand, can identify associations or correlations but cannot definitively establish causality.