Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

Definitions, common uses and explanations of 1,500+ key market research terms and phrases.

What is Causality?

Research Topics:
Data Analysis
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Glossary
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Causality Definition

The relation between cause and effect.

In marketing research, causality refers to the relationship between a specific marketing action or strategy and its actual impact on consumer behavior or outcomes. It seeks to determine whether a cause-and-effect relationship – the inference that a change in one variable is responsible for a change in another variable – exists. Its aim is to establish a link in which changes in one variable lead to changes in another. Without the use of causal relationships, marketing decisions might be based on coincidences. Causality also helps in experimental design, allowing controlled testing of variables.

Who relies on causality?

Marketing professionals, businesses and researchers rely on causality to make better-informed decisions about what strategies to implement. This knowledge also can lead to improved allocation of resources, optimized marketing campaigns and predicted outcomes.

Why should I care about causality?

Causality provides insights based on evidence rather than correlations. It helps identify strategies that drive desired outcomes, avoid wasting resources and create more reliable predictions of how marketing efforts will impact consumer behavior and business goals.