Mechanisms and Method. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Little, Daniel
• Other Names: Zamora-Bonilla Jesús guest-editor.; Bouvier Alban guest-editor.; Kaldis Byron guest-editor.; Montuschi Eleonora guest-editor.; Zahle Julie guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of the social sciences. Volume 45:Number 4/5(2015:Jul./Sep.)
• Page Start: 462
• Page End: 480
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: social science methodology -- causal realism -- causal mechanisms -- social ontology; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Sciences sociales -- Périodiques; Sciences sociales -- Méthodologie -- Périodiques; 300.1
• DOI: 10.1177/0048393115580420
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0048-3931

Abstract

Causal mechanisms theory (CMT) has provided an important contribution to the theory of social explanation. This article considers whether CMT also makes a contribution to improvement of social science methodology. Methodology serves as a guide to the construction of research questions and explanatory hypotheses. Research is guided by background assumptions about the ontology of the domain of investigation. CMT provides a valuable ontology for social science research. Furthermore, it provides a valuable research heuristic: "seek out the causal mechanisms that underlie an outcome of interest." CMT does indeed have valuable implications for social science investigation, hypothesis formation, and research strategy.