Pérez-González, Saúl and Iranzo, Valeriano (2021) Assessing the role of evidence of mechanisms in causal extrapolation. THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science, 36 (2). pp. 211-228. ISSN 2171-679X
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Abstract
Extrapolation of causal claims from study populations to other populations of interest is a problematic issue. The standard approach in experimental research, which prioritises randomized controlled trials and statistical evidence, is not devoid of difficulties. Granted that, it has been defended that evidence of mechanisms is indispensable for causal extrapolation. We argue, contrarily, that this sort of evidence is not indispensable. Nonetheless, we also think that occasionally it may be helpful. In order to clarify its relevance, we introduce a distinction between a positive and a negative role of evidence of mechanisms. Our conclusion is that the former is highly questionable, but the latter may be a trustworthy resource for causal extrapolation.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | |||||||||
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| Additional Information: | ISSN: 0495-4548 (print) | |||||||||
| Keywords: | Extrapolation, evidence of mechanisms, statistical evidence, mechanism, causality, evidence, external validity, randomized controlled trial. | |||||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Causation General Issues > Evidence General Issues > Experimentation |
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| Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email theoria@ehu.es | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 03 Jun 2021 14:14 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 03 Jun 2021 14:14 | |||||||||
| Item ID: | 19139 | |||||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science | |||||||||
| Publisher: | Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea / Universidad del País Vasco | |||||||||
| Official URL: | https://ojs.ehu.eus/index.php/THEORIA/article/view... | |||||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1387/theoria.21642 | |||||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Causation General Issues > Evidence General Issues > Experimentation |
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| Date: | May 2021 | |||||||||
| Page Range: | pp. 211-228 | |||||||||
| Volume: | 36 | |||||||||
| Number: | 2 | |||||||||
| ISSN: | 2171-679X | |||||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/19139 |
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