Essays
-
Evidence of Causation—The Contribution of Life Course Research, Part I: Dominant Models of Causal Inference and Their Limitations in Life Course Research - Blossfeld, Hans‐Peter
Life course research has been increasingly criticized for relying only on observational data where processes by which subjects select themselves (or are selected) into the states of a causal variable are not under the control of the researcher. The primary objectives of this essay, the first in a two‐part set, are to discuss two dominant models of causal inference and to identify the uses and limitations of randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi‐experimental designs for answering life course questions. -
Evidence of Causation—The Contribution of Life Course Research, Part II: Causation as Generative Process - Blossfeld, Hans‐Peter
This is the second part in a pair of essays on causal inference in life course research. The first part presented the dominant models of causal inference and their limitations in life course research. This essay develops the idea of “causation as generative process,” offering a quite promising model for inferences in life course research.