Abstract
This article provides an overview of the issues needed in making causal inferences, when the generated data come from processes that are not controlled by the researcher. This overview serves as an introduction to the issues that have been discussed in detail by other researchers. This article emphasizes that the possible causes of these issues may include events, institutions, and policies. It also tries to determine if the science of comparative politics exists, by identifying the problem, the kinds of data, and the potential biases. Several historical studies are also provided.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780191577482 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780199566020 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2 2009 |
Keywords
- Causal inferences
- Historical studies
- Issues
- Kinds of data
- Potential bias
- Problem
- Science
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Social Sciences