Ex post facto research is also known as which type of design?

Ex post facto research is often referred to as causal-comparative design because it seeks to identify and analyze the potential causal relationships between variables after the fact, without manipulation of the independent variable by the researcher. In this type of research, the researcher examines existing data or conditions and looks back in time to find relationships and possible causes for observed outcomes.

Causal-comparative designs are typically employed when it is impractical or unethical to manipulate the independent variable, such as in situations involving human behaviors or characteristics that cannot be randomly assigned. For example, researchers might investigate the effects of a natural disaster on psychological outcomes by comparing individuals who experienced the disaster with those who did not, analyzing their states of mind based on pre-existing conditions rather than through experimentation.

The goal is to draw conclusions about potential cause-and-effect relationships based on the differences observed between the groups. This methodological approach is appropriate when focusing on the exploration of causal inferences in a retrospective manner, thereby aligning it closely with the principles of ex post facto research.