CAUSAL MODELS, UNOBSERVED VARIABLES, AND EXPERIMENTAL DATA

• NCJ Number: 16182
• Journal: American Journal of Sociology Volume: 80 Issue: 1 Dated: (JULY 1974) Pages: 58-86
• Author(s): D F ALWIN; R C TESSLER
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 29 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH-07413
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DISCUSSES WAYS IN WHICH CAUSAL MODELS MAY BE FRUITFULLY USED IN THE ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTAL DATA AND ILLUSTRATES THEIR USES.

Abstract

CENTRAL TO THE PAPER'S EXPOSITION IS THE REPRESENTATION OF SOCIAL SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS IN TERMS OF CAUSAL PROCESSES INVOLVING UNOBSERVED VARIABLES. WITHIN THIS FRAMEWORK, TWO KEY EXPERIMENTAL ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED THE EVALUATION OF MANIPULATED INDEPENDENT VARIABLES AND THE EVALUATION OF INDICATORS OF DEPENDENT VARIABLES. SUGGESTIONS REGARDING TECHNIQUES FOR EXAMINING RIVAL INTERPRETATIONS OF EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)