Infopaket

Theory and Methods of Causality Analysis in Sociology

ВБ.1.5

Вибіркова дисципліна для ОП

Second

2021/2022

3 Semester

4

1.1 Know the theoretical foundations and practical approaches to formalizing the concept of causality in the social sciences. 1.2 Know the main stages of application of structural equation modeling (SEM) in the analysis of empirical sociological research data. 2.1 Be able to use flow charts to build and analyze path diagrams that represent models of social processes and phenomena. 2.2 Be able to work with structural equation models that combine measurement and path models and formalize the system of causal hypotheses of the research. 2.3 Be able to use structural equation models to analyze the reliability and validity of sociological information and to predict the development of social processes.

Full-time form

Students should be familiar with the basics of statistical data analysis of empirical sociological research, including correlation analysis and multiple linear regression models, and be able to work with computer programs for statistical data analysis.

1. The concept of causality in the social sciences. Determinism and statistical meaning of causality. 2. The logic of causal ordering. Causality flow graphs. 3. Construction and analysis of path diagrams. 4. Linear structural equation models. 5. Latent variables and measurement models. 6. The main stages of construction, analysis and estimation of structural equation models (SEM) using LISREL and SPSS Amos. 7. Application of structural equation models for the assess of validity and reliability of sociological data. 8. Prediction of system development based on the analysis of causal effects.

1. Schumacker, Randall E. A beginner’s guide to structural equation modeling / Randall E. Schumacker, Richard G. Lomax. – Fourth edition, 2016.- 351 p. – pp. 69-144, 156-164, 238-246 2. Russo F. Causality and Causal Modelling in the Social Sciences .- Springer, 2015.- 235 p. 3. Byrne B.M. Structural Equation Modeling With AMOS : Basic Concepts, Applications, and Programming, 3th Edition.- Routlege, 2016.- 438 p. – pp. 3-226 4. Goertz G. Multimethod Research, Causal Mechanisms, and Case Studies.- Princeton University press, 2017.- 298 p. – p. 1-165, 245-270

Lecture, practical training, personal work

1. Test work 1 (test) for topics 1-4, LO1.1, LO2.1 – 12 points / 20 points. 2. Test work 2 (test) for topics 5- 6, LO1.2, LO2.2, LO2.3 – 12 points / 20 points. 3. Presentations at practical training classes 1-8 LO1.1, LO1.2, LO2.1, LO2.2, LO2.3 – 12 points / 20 points. final assessment – exam, LO1.1, LO1.2, LO2.1, LO2.2, LO2.3.

ukrainian