CPO 2002 Lecture Notes - Lecture 66: Dependent And Independent Variables
Document Summary
What is an explanatory variable (independent variables) in the context of mills method of agreement? variables that explain the outcome variable. The method of difference requires that the phenomenon to be explained is present in one case, but not the other. The method of difference requires that you eliminate those conditions that do not vary in exactly the same way as the outcome. Whatever cannot be eliminated is the sufficient cause of the phenomenon. The method of difference is more powerful than the method of agreement. This is because it allows us to determine whether certain conditions are sufficient and necessary to cause an outcome. To identify necessary causes the cause must be present in all cases of the shared outcome. To identify sufficient causes, the cause must be present in the shared outcome but not present in the opposite outcome (non-democracy).
