Learn: POSC 201 Quiz

Case Studies do...

attempt at understanding the causal mechanisms that lie behind statistical associations between variables discovered in large N studies

The traditional approach to case studies is

The Comparative method

Method of Difference

compares cases where outcomes differ looking for the single factor that cases dont have in common

Method of Agreement

compare cases that share the same outcome and identifies conditionals or causal factors in common

MSSD

Most Similar Systems Design, the method of difference

MSSD are cases that are

alike on many background conditions but differ on the background

MDSD

Most different systems design, the method of agreement

MDSD include cases...

differ on nearly everything but share the outcome

Cautions about mills methods

Determinism, No measurement error, a single cause, no interaction

Equifinality

The same outcome can be reached through different causal pathways

Example: states democratize through elite pacts, mass mobilization, or imperial collapse

Consequence: one pathway does not rule out others

Multifinality

The same cause can produce different outcomes depending on context

Ex. an economic shock may produce reform in one setting, repression in another

Consequence: scope conditions must be specified not assumed away

glm function

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