Scribd
Upload
15 views1 page

Observational Data and Causal Analysis

This document outlines key concepts for conducting observational research using existing data. It discusses defining variables that are measured for units of analysis and developing a theory about the causal relationships between variables. Specifically, it identifies an independent variable X that is hypothesized to have a causal effect on the dependent variable Y. Statistical analysis is then used to determine if changes in X are correlated with changes in Y and to evaluate if the relationship is statistically significant while accounting for potential competing explanations. The goal is to establish evidence that supports a causal relationship from X to Y.

Uploaded by

Vanessa Thomas
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
15 views1 page

Observational Data and Causal Analysis

This document outlines key concepts for conducting observational research using existing data. It discusses defining variables that are measured for units of analysis and developing a theory about the causal relationships between variables. Specifically, it identifies an independent variable X that is hypothesized to have a causal effect on the dependent variable Y. Statistical analysis is then used to determine if changes in X are correlated with changes in Y and to evaluate if the relationship is statistically significant while accounting for potential competing explanations. The goal is to establish evidence that supports a causal relationship from X to Y.

Uploaded by

Vanessa Thomas
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Observational Data: to draw from raw observations of cause and effect relationships Variable: attribute of a unit of analysis (categories).

Study behavior of variables through use of observational data. Theory: causal story/relationship between variables Units of Analysis: can be classified into categories X Variable: independent (manipulated) Y Variable: dependent (result) Assume causal relationship goes in one direction (argument / story / explanation) o XY o Possibility for relationship to reflect back in the same direction Visual representations: flow graph, path diagram Research approach: o Creating a theory (argument) o Measurements of variables method of sorting units of analysis into categories (variables) o Statistical analysis o What else can we do? (further questions) Units of analysis: independent Operationalization: measuring variables / collecting data o Good measures: valid and reliable o Reliability: can the results be replicated? Correlation Causation o Determining correlation is the first step though to create a causal relationship theory from observational data Dichotomous variable: 2 categories Cross tabulation: o Measuring data against variables o Difference of probabilities o Evaluate statistical significance (or substantively significant) Statistical Significance: confidence in result that is not zero (there is an existing causal relationship) o Relationship is distinguished from assigning a numerical code to variables and analyzing them statistically Competing explanations: taking into account all other possible variables. What other factors need to be taken into account and controlled for? (burden of analysis) o Need to prove your theory is the last one standing; x variable is directly tied to y variable (despite the presence of competing x variables)

You might also like