Causal comparative research attempts to determine the cause or consequence of existing differences between groups. It is used when the independent variable cannot be manipulated, such as age, gender, or past experiences. There are two types: retrospective research starts with effects and investigates causes, while prospective research starts with causes and investigates effects. Key characteristics include that the independent variable is not manipulated by the researcher and groups are already formed. The steps involve selecting a problem, reviewing literature, developing hypotheses, defining variables, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results.