Journal Articles

Toward a Unified Theory of Causality

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In comparative research, analysts conceptualize causation in contrasting ways when they pursue explanation in
particular cases (case-oriented research) versus large populations (population-oriented research).
With case-oriented research, they understand causation in terms of necessary, sufficient, INUS, and SUIN causes.
With population-oriented research, by contrast, they understand causation as mean causal effects. This article explores whether it is possible to translate the kind of causal language that is used in case-oriented research into the kind of causal language that is used in population-oriented research (and vice versa). The article suggests that such translation is possible, because certain types of INUS causes manifest themselves as variables that exhibit partial effects when studied in population-oriented research. The article concludes that the conception of causation adopted in case-oriented research is appropriate for the population level, whereas the conception of causation used in population-oriented research is valuable for making predictions in the face of uncertainty.

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Detail Information

Series Title

Comparative Political Studies

Call Number

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Publisher

California : Sage Publications., 2008

Collation

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Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

0010-4140

Classification

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Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

Vol. 41 No. 4/5 Page 412-436

Subject(s)

Causality
Logic
Probabilities
Cases
Populations
Toward a Unified Theory of Causality

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