Qualitative approximations to causality: Non-randomizable factors in clinical psychology
Author(s) / Creator(s)
Höfler, Michael
Trautmann, Sebastian
Kanske, Philipp
Abstract / Description
Background: Causal quests in non-randomized studies are unavoidable just because research questions are beyond doubt causal (e.g., aetiology). Large progress during the last decades has enriched the methodical toolbox. Aims: Summary papers mainly focus on quantitative and highly formal methods. With examples from clinical psychology, we show how qualitative approaches can inform on the necessity and feasibility of quantitative analysis and may yet sometimes approximate causal answers. Results: Qualitative use is hidden in some quantitative methods. For instance, it may yet suffice to know the direction of bias for a tentative causal conclusion. Counterfactuals clarify what causal effects of changeable factors are, unravel what is required for a causal answer, but do not cover immutable causes like gender. Directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) address causal effects in a broader sense, may give rise to quantitative estimation or indicate that this is premature. Conclusion: No method is generally sufficient or necessary. Any causal analysis must ground on qualification and should balance the harms of a false positive and a false negative conclusion in a specific context.
Keyword(s)
causality causal considerations counterfactuals directed acyclic graphsPersistent Identifier
Date of first publication
2021-06-18
Journal title
Clinical Psychology in Europe
Volume
3
Issue
2
Article number
Article e3873
Publisher
PsychOpen GOLD
Publication status
publishedVersion
Review status
peerReviewed
Is version of
Citation
Höfler, M., Trautmann, S., & Kanske, P. (2021). Qualitative approximations to causality: Non-randomizable factors in clinical psychology. Clinical Psychology in Europe, 3(2), Article e3873. https://doi.org/10.32872/cpe.3873
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cpe.v3i2.3873.pdfAdobe PDF - 389.22KBMD5: 4c50c87fa0579119142d31f6b36b8034
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Höfler, Michael
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Trautmann, Sebastian
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Kanske, Philipp
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PsychArchives acquisition timestamp2022-04-14T11:19:37Z
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Made available on2022-04-14T11:19:37Z
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Date of first publication2021-06-18
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Abstract / DescriptionBackground: Causal quests in non-randomized studies are unavoidable just because research questions are beyond doubt causal (e.g., aetiology). Large progress during the last decades has enriched the methodical toolbox. Aims: Summary papers mainly focus on quantitative and highly formal methods. With examples from clinical psychology, we show how qualitative approaches can inform on the necessity and feasibility of quantitative analysis and may yet sometimes approximate causal answers. Results: Qualitative use is hidden in some quantitative methods. For instance, it may yet suffice to know the direction of bias for a tentative causal conclusion. Counterfactuals clarify what causal effects of changeable factors are, unravel what is required for a causal answer, but do not cover immutable causes like gender. Directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) address causal effects in a broader sense, may give rise to quantitative estimation or indicate that this is premature. Conclusion: No method is generally sufficient or necessary. Any causal analysis must ground on qualification and should balance the harms of a false positive and a false negative conclusion in a specific context.en_US
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Publication statuspublishedVersion
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Review statuspeerReviewed
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CitationHöfler, M., Trautmann, S., & Kanske, P. (2021). Qualitative approximations to causality: Non-randomizable factors in clinical psychology. Clinical Psychology in Europe, 3(2), Article e3873. https://doi.org/10.32872/cpe.3873en_US
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ISSN2625-3410
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Persistent Identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/5169
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Persistent Identifierhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.5773
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Language of contenteng
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PublisherPsychOpen GOLD
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.32872/cpe.3873
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.4751
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Is related tohttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.4838
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Is related tohttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.4751
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Keyword(s)causalityen_US
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Keyword(s)causal considerationsen_US
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Keyword(s)counterfactualsen_US
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Keyword(s)directed acyclic graphsen_US
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Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)150
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TitleQualitative approximations to causality: Non-randomizable factors in clinical psychologyen_US
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DRO typearticle
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Article numberArticle e3873
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Issue2
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Journal titleClinical Psychology in Europe
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Volume3
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Visible tag(s)Version of Recorden_US