Final answer:
A true cause and effect relationship between variables is determined by carefully controlled experiments, where the independent variable is manipulated to assess its effect on a dependent variable, with all other variables kept constant.
Step-by-step explanation:
A true cause and effect relationship between variables can only be determined by carefully controlled experiments.In an experiment, the researcher manipulates an independent variable to assess its effect on a dependent variable, while controlling for extraneous variables. This allows for the isolation of the independent variable as the cause of any observed changes in the dependent variable. Control groups and random assignment are used to ensure that any difference between groups can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable, not to other factors. Observational studies, case studies, and surveys can indicate correlations but are not designed to establish causality due to potential confounding variables that cannot be controlled.
For instance, if researchers wish to investigate whether the consumption of a certain food influences energy levels, they would conduct an experiment where the food is given to one group (the experimental group) and not given to another (the control group). The energy levels of both groups would be measured, and if a significant difference is found, it is inferred that the food consumption is the cause.A true cause and effect relationship between variables can only be determined by carefully controlled experiments. In an experiment, the researcher manipulates the independent variable and observes the effect on the dependent variable. This allows for the establishment of a cause and effect relationship.