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Nominal, Ordinal, and Narrative Appraisal in Macrocausal Analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID2192525
AuthorsJames Mahoney (0000-0002-4913-4435, John Brown University, corresponding author)
Year1999
Volume104
Issue4
Pages1154-1196
Publication date1999-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Sociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9602 • E-ISSN: 1537-5390
PublisherUniversity of Chicago Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1086/210139
OpenAlexW2049965034
LanguageEN
Citations received115
References cited66

Macrocausal analysis is often characterized as following only a single strategy of causal inference. In fact, however, at least three different techniques are used: nominal, ordinal, and narrative strategies of causal assessment. Focusing on recent works of comparative history, this article presents an evaluation of the strengths and limitations of each strategy. In addition, it considers the trade‐offs involved in combining two or more strategies. Finally, the article discusses the role of scholarly tastes and skills, the research question, and ongoing research cycles in shaping the methodological approach selected by investigators

Causal inference · Cognitive psychology · Econometrics · Economics · Epistemology · Inference · Linguistics · Narrative · Positive economics · Advanced Causal Inference Techniques · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · Evaluation and Performance Assessment · Psychology · Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research

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Unique citing works115
Citations per year3,03
Citation span1988 - 2026 (39)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedYes
Citation typesNeutral: 109

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