What type of study design is best suited to determine causation?

Experimental studies are best suited to determine causation because they allow researchers to manipulate one or more variables while controlling for others to observe the effects of these manipulations. In an experimental design, participants are typically assigned to different groups (such as a treatment group and a control group) to assess how changes in one variable (independent variable) directly influence another variable (dependent variable). This controlled setting helps minimize biases and extraneous factors that could otherwise confound the results.

By design, experimental studies provide a clear pathway to establishing a cause-and-effect relationship. Randomization, blinding, and pre-defined outcomes are utilized to strengthen the validity of the results and to ensure that any observed effects can be confidently attributed to the interventions applied in the study. This methodological rigor distinguishes experimental studies from observational and qualitative research, where causation cannot be conclusively established due to the potential influence of uncontrolled variables or subjective interpretations.