What is a key characteristic of causal research?

Causal research is fundamentally focused on determining cause-and-effect relationships between variables. This type of research helps to establish whether one variable directly influences another, allowing researchers to not just observe associations but to draw conclusions about the nature of these interactions. By modeling these relationships, causal research can help in predicting outcomes and understanding how changes in one element will impact others.

This characteristic sets causal research apart from descriptive research, which provides statistical data about a population without addressing relationships, or exploratory research, which delves into new areas often without predefined structures. Therefore, the emphasis of causal research on modeling relationships between variables is a cornerstone of its utility in marketing analysis and research methods.