Final answer:
Experiments are designed to show causal relationships between variables through controlled manipulation and isolation of variables in a way that other methods, such as observational studies, cannot.
Step-by-step explanation:
Only an experiment can show how one thing causes another. In the context of social studies and scientific research, an experiment involves significant control and manipulation of variables which allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships. For instance, if an experiment shows that watching violent television programs causes an increase in violent behavior, the experimental setup, including random selection and assignment, would have meticulously controlled the variables to confirm this causal relationship.
Experiments are crucial in research for making causal statements. Unlike an observational study, which can suggest correlations, a controlled experiment's ability to manipulate the independent variable under controlled conditions is key to asserting causality. Additionally, scientists must be cautious when translating findings from controlled environments of a laboratory to natural environments, ensuring the validity of their claims.