What did I leave out? Omitted variables in regression and qualitative comparative analysis
Radaelli, CM; Wagemann, C
Date: 18 January 2018
Journal
European Political Science
Publisher
Palgrave Macmillan for European Consortium for Political Research
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Social scientists often face a fundamental problem: Did I leave something causally important
out of my explanation? How do I diagnose this? Where do I look for solutions to this
problem? We build bridges between regression models and qualitative comparative analysis
(QCA) by comparing diagnostics and solutions to the problem of ...
Social scientists often face a fundamental problem: Did I leave something causally important
out of my explanation? How do I diagnose this? Where do I look for solutions to this
problem? We build bridges between regression models and qualitative comparative analysis
(QCA) by comparing diagnostics and solutions to the problem of omitted variables and
conditions. We then discuss various approaches and tackle the theoretical issues around
causality which must be addressed before attending to technical fixes. In the conclusions we
reflect on the bridges built between the two traditions and draw more general lessons about
the logic of social science research.
Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy, and Anthropology
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
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