Causality in a Social World: Moderation, Mediation and Spill-over

Causality in a Social World introduces innovative new statistical research and strategies for investigating moderated intervention effects, mediated intervention effects, and spill-over effects using experimental or quasi-experimental data.

The book uses potential outcomes to define causal effects, explains and evaluates identification assumptions using application examples, and compares innovative statistical strategies with conventional analysis methods. Whilst highlighting the crucial role of good research design and the evaluation of assumptions required for identifying causal effects in the context of each application, the author demonstrates that improved statistical procedures will greatly enhance the empirical study of causal relationship theory.

Applications focus on interventions designed to improve outcomes for participants who are embedded in social settings, including families, classrooms, schools, neighbourhoods, and workplaces.

Keywords: intervention effects; mediated intervention effects; spill-over effects; experimental/quasi-experimental data; causal effects; identification assumptions; statistical strategies; analysis methods; research design; statistical procedures; social settings, Research Methodologies, Sociology of Organizations & Work, Research Methodologies, Sociology of Organizations & Work