What does causal research seek to establish?

Causal research is specifically designed to identify and establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables. This type of research goes beyond mere correlations, which only indicate that two variables may be related without clarifying how they influence one another. By employing controlled experiments and rigorous methodologies, causal research can demonstrate how changes in one variable (the independent variable) directly affect another variable (the dependent variable). This foundational aspect allows researchers to draw more concrete conclusions about causation rather than simple association.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of research. Descriptive study, for example, is centered on detailing the characteristics of a population, while correlation analysis looks at the relationship between variables without confirming that one causes the other. Understanding natural habitats pertains to ecological or biological research, which does not seek to establish causal relationships in the same way that causal research does. Thus, option C accurately reflects the primary aim of causal research in exploring how one variable affects another.