Final answer:
An audit study is a research method often used to determine the effectiveness of management techniques and assess conditions in the real world.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the "What Really Works" box, an audit study is a type of study that often shows the conditions under which management techniques may work better or worse in the real world. Audit studies, also known as experiments, are highly effective in establishing cause and effect. They provide empirical evidence by comparing groups with different characteristics, such as in housing, education, or the labor market. While they can be more challenging and expensive than other methods like multiple regression, audit studies are crucial for discrimination research and in analyzing management effectiveness.