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Assumptions in Making Causal Inferences From Part Correlations, Partial Correlations and Partial Regression Coefficients (Growth Study Paper #29)

Author(s):
Linn, Robert L.
Publication Year:
1969
Report Number:
RB-69-06
Source:
ETS Research Bulletin
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
20
Subject/Key Words:
Correlation, Mathematical Models, Regression (Statistics), Statistical Analysis, A Study of Academic Prediction and Growth

Abstract

Given a linear model and that X is antecedent to Y , a third variable, W , which is antecedent to both X and Y , is often used as a control variable to remove any spurious association between X and Y. Four different methods that have been used as measures of the "influence" of X on Y are described. The implicit assumptions that are made in using each of these methods to make causal inferences are stated and compared.

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