Sociology 441: Stratification

2 questions to ask about causal statements

( X -> Y )

• How big is the causal effect?
• compared to other effects.
  not just: Does it have any effect?
• how much of the association between X and Y is truly causal ?
  not: both X and Y are common results of a third cause, Z.
  not: the causal direction flows the other way (from Y to X).

 
• Why does it have an effect?

What are the intervening mechanisms (A, B, and C) between X and Y?