Chinese Journal of Sociology

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The Endogeneity Problem in Quantitative Analysis: A Review of Estimating Causal Effects of Social Interaction

*作者:陈云松 牛津大学纽菲尔德学院
作者2:范晓光,浙江省社会科学院社会学研究所   

  1. *Author 1: Chen Yunsong, Nuffield College,Oxford University;
    Author 2: Fan Xiaoguang, Institute of Sociology,Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences.
  • Online:2010-07-20 Published:2010-07-20
  • Contact: Author 1: Chen Yunsong, Nuffield College,Oxford University; E-mail:yunsong.chen@nuffield.ox.ac.uk;
  • About author:*Author 1: Chen Yunsong, Nuffield College,Oxford University)E-mail: yunsong.chen@nuffield.ox.ac.uk; Author 2: Fan Xiaoguang, Institute of Sociology,Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences.

Abstract:

 Causeeffect relationships are the core area in sociological analysis. However,

sociological analysis based on survey data is confronted by the endogeneity problem which plagues

causal inferences. Many existing studies aiming at providing explanations for social phenomena

either merely describes the statistical associations among variables or arrives at problematic

causal conclusions. Focusing on the social interaction studies, this paper addresses the major

sources of potential endogeneity biases, namely, the omitted variable bias, selfselection bias

, sampleselection bias and the simultaneity bias. Useful model identification strategies for

correcting these problems are reviewed. Based on CGSS2003, this paper also discusses how to

partially correct for the endogeneity problem through augmenting the volume of survey data.

Key words: endogeneity ,  causal effects ,  social interaction