Which of the following research designs allows researchers to draw cause and effect conclusions?

• A. Naturalistic observation
• B. Case study
• C. Correlational design
• D. Experimental design

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of each research design. Naturalistic observation involves observing subjects in their natural environment without manipulation, which helps describe behavior but does not establish causality.
2. Step 2: Recognize that a case study is an in-depth analysis of a single individual or group, providing detailed information but lacking the control needed to determine cause and effect.
3. Step 3: Know that correlational design examines the relationship between two variables to see if they are associated, but correlation does not imply causation because it cannot rule out other factors.
4. Step 4: Identify that an experimental design involves the manipulation of an independent variable and the control of extraneous variables to observe the effect on a dependent variable, which allows for causal conclusions.
5. Step 5: Conclude that because experimental design includes controlled manipulation and random assignment, it is the only design among the options that permits researchers to draw cause and effect conclusions.