What is the focus of experimental research?

Experimental research primarily focuses on determining cause and effect relationships between variables. This type of research is characterized by the manipulation of one or more independent variables to observe the effect on a dependent variable while controlling for other variables. By establishing control groups and employing random assignment, researchers can better isolate the effects of the manipulated variables, thereby establishing a clearer causal connection.

This approach is essential in scientific inquiry as it allows researchers to identify not only whether a relationship exists, but also the direction and nature of that relationship. Understanding cause and effect is crucial in making informed conclusions about how different factors influence outcomes.

In contrast, other types of research, such as descriptive research or qualitative studies, may focus on exploring relationships or gathering non-numerical data without the goal of establishing causation. Longitudinal studies, while valuable for observing changes over time, also do not inherently establish causal relationships but rather track the same subjects to observe how they evolve.