Handbook of Causal Analysis for Social Research (Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research)

Handbook of Causal Analysis for Social Research (Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research)

What constitutes a causal explanation, and must an explanation be causal? What warrants a causal inference, as opposed to a descriptive regularity? What techniques are available to detect when causal effects are present, and when can these techniques be used to identify the relative importance of these effects? What complications do the interactions of individuals create for these techniques? When can mixed methods of analysis be used to deepen causal accounts? Must causal claims include generative mechanisms, and how effective are empirical methods designed to discover them? The Handbook of Causal Analysis for Social Research tackles these questions with nineteen chapters from leading scholars in sociology, statistics, public health, computer science, and human development. “The book consists of six parts with 19 chapters presenting articles by leading experts on development of causal modeling in sociological methodologies. … The monograph presents a collection of modern methods and methodologies, which could be useful for researchers on causal analysis in social and related fields.” (Stan Lipovetsky and Igor Mandel, Technometrics, Vol. 57 (2), May, 2015) “The handbook covers a wide range of important topics of causal inference and surely is an invaluable resource for students and researchers interested in the topic. … due to the exceptionally high quality, the clarity of presentation, and the many examples the handbook is well-suited for teaching methodology to advanced classes. … it will bring the field of causal inference forward and raise the methodological rigor of social science research in general.” (Tobias Wolbring, Mda Methods, data, analyses, Vol. 9 (1), 2015) What constitutes a causal explanation, and must an explanation be causal? What warrants a causal inference, as opposed to a descriptive regularity? What techniques are available to detect when causal effects are present, and when can these techniques be used to identify the relative importance of these effects? What complications do the interactions of individuals create for these techniques? When can mixed methods of analysis be used to deepen causal accounts? Must causal claims include generative mechanisms, and how effective are empirical methods designed to discover them? The Handbook of Causal Analysis for Social Research tackles these questions with nineteen chapters from leading scholars in sociology, statistics, public health, computer science, and human development. Stephen L. Morgan is the Jan Rock Zubrow '77 Professor in the Social Sciences at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.