Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) Practice Exam

Which type of research study design is best characterized by testing a cause-and-effect relationship where an exposure (predictor) is adjusted to determine causality of a disease/injury (outcome)?

1. Descriptive study

2. Experimental study

3. Observational study

4. Cross-sectional study

The correct answer is: Experimental study

The best choice for identifying a research study design that tests a cause-and-effect relationship is the experimental study. This design involves the manipulation of an exposure (predictor) to observe its effect on an outcome, such as a disease or injury. In experimental studies, researchers assign participants to different groups, typically including a treatment group that receives the exposure and a control group that does not. By comparing outcomes between these groups, researchers can draw conclusions about the causality of the exposure concerning the outcome. Experimental studies, such as randomized controlled trials, provide strong evidence for causal relationships because they allow for the control of variables that might confound the results. This means that any observed changes in the outcome can be more confidently attributed to the manipulation of the predictor, rather than other external factors. In contrast, descriptive studies aim to provide an overview of a phenomenon without investigating cause-and-effect relationships. Observational studies can identify associations but do not manipulate exposures, making it harder to establish causality. Cross-sectional studies capture data at a single point in time and can illustrate associations but lack the ability to determine temporal relationships or causality inherent to experimental designs. Therefore, the experimental study is uniquely suited for examining and confirming cause-and-effect relationships.