Approaches and terminology for causal analysis in land systems science. Issue 5 (2nd September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meyfroidt, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Journal of land use science. Volume 11:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 501
• Page End: 522
• Publication Date: 2016-09-02
• Subjects: land use change -- theory development and testing -- spatial determinant -- causal inference -- proximate cause -- underlying driver; Land use -- Periodicals; 333.7313
• DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2015.1117530
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-423X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Research into land and social-ecological systems science could benefit from improved clarity in the terminology used for causal analysis and a structured way to make causal inferences. Here I identify two aspects of causality, i.e. causal effects and causal mechanisms, and discuss explanation in historical sciences. I then propose definitions for the major terms used for causal relations, including driver, (spatial) determinant, location and contextual factor, proximate and underlying factors. Finally, I discuss the contribution of various operational approaches, including time series and counterfactual approaches for assessing causal effects and process-tracing approaches for establishing causal mechanisms. Having a coherent concept of causality, agreeing on a precise vocabulary and harnessing our tools with the clear purpose of establishing both causal effects and causal mechanisms should strengthen causal explanations for single cases, for drawing policy-relevant lessons and for theoretical development in relation to land and, more broadly, social-ecological systems processes.