Which type of research aims to identify relationships between variables and often seeks to explain 'why'?

The type of research that aims to identify relationships between variables and seeks to explain 'why' is explanatory research. This form of research is designed to provide insights into the reasons behind the observed phenomena, making it particularly useful in establishing cause-and-effect relationships. By systematically investigating the connections between variables, explanatory research formulates hypotheses and tests them, aiming for a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play.

This contrasts with exploratory research, which is primarily focused on gaining preliminary insights and generating questions rather than testing specific relationships or explaining causes. Descriptive research, on the other hand, is aimed at depicting the characteristics of a population or phenomenon but does not delve into the causal relationships between variables or provide explanations. Evaluative research typically assesses the effectiveness or impact of policies, programs, or interventions but may not focus directly on explaining relationships between variables in the same manner as explanatory research.