Abstract
Causal modelling forms the standard component of quantitative sociological research since 60s. Successively, the methodology was developed in a very dynamical way.
This book ana-lyzes the basic principles of causal models construction in recursive systems. Main steps and issues of causal modelling process are showed.
In detail, there are presented the fundamental methods of construction, testing and interpretation of model equations (Simon- Blalock´s method, path-analysis, analysis of dependence). Specific methodological problems (such as, multiple-indicators models and sociological theory construction as well) and analyzed too.
To highlights its real possibilities, the comparison of causal modelling methodology to the approaches of contemporary analytical sociology and social mechanisms theory is provided.