POL222H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Dependent And Independent Variables, Theory X And Theory Y, Confounding
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We normally investigate our theories but while we can gain confidence in them, we can never prove them: multiple empirical tests favouring the theory will cause us more confidence in our theories. Assignment: causal theory find independent, dependent variables, why independent variables cause dependent variables. It"s (cid:374)ot eas(cid:455) to esta(cid:271)lish causalit(cid:455: there are two primary potential obstacles when we empirically examine the causal relationships, when we try to test our causal theory empirically. Is there any credible causal mechanism that runs from y to x in addition to the one from x to y. **parents who went through college want to push their kids through the similar education: neighbourhood all affect political participation as well, therefore, all these variables are confounding variables. Problems with confounding variables: spurious relationship, suppose we have found a certain relationship between x and y based on an empirical analysis. If we account for a confounding variable, where there might be a relationship between.
