Which research method is typically not able to determine cause and effect relationships?

The case study method is typically not able to determine cause and effect relationships because it focuses on a detailed and in-depth analysis of a single case or a small number of cases. This qualitative approach provides rich, contextual information about the subject under study, but it lacks the control and systematic manipulation of variables that are necessary to establish causality.

Case studies often involve naturalistic observations or interviews which provide insights into various factors, but they do not allow for the isolation of variables or the establishment of clear cause-and-effect links. Instead, they help generate hypotheses and suggest relationships that could be explored further through more rigorous methods like experimental studies.

In contrast, methods like experimental studies are designed specifically to manipulate one or more variables while controlling others, which enables researchers to draw conclusions about causality. Surveys, while useful for gathering data about perceptions or behaviors, also do not typically allow for establishing causal relationships due to their correlational nature. Field research can simulate some experimental conditions but generally does not determine clear cause-and-effect due to external variables influencing the results.