Data Visualization and Causal Reasoning Are Essential for Causal Effect Estimation

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Data Visualization and Causal Reasoning Are Essential for Causal Effect Estimation
Language: English
Authors: Dan Chen (ORCID 0000-0003-4595-9971), Juan Juan Zhang, Henry S. Lynn
Source: Teaching Statistics: An International Journal for Teachers. 2026 48(3):160-171.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Data, Visualization, Causal Models, Abstract Reasoning, Computation, Graphs, Data Analysis, Multiple Choice Tests, Inquiry, Active Learning
DOI: 10.1002/test.70031
ISSN: 0141-982X
1467-9639
Abstract: Causal effect estimation has gained much attention in recent years, and it is not uncommon to see graduate students incorporate these analyses into their research. However, students may not be aware how model assumptions and causal reasoning can critically influence their results. We borrowed a simple dataset that was previously used to demonstrate the use of directed acyclic graphs and designed a set of accompanying data analysis multiple-choice questions to engage students in inquiry-based learning, guiding them to discover the importance of data visualization and subject-specific causal reasoning for assessing different methods of causal effect estimation.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 20260101
Accession Number: EJ1516728
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Data Visualization and Causal Reasoning Are Essential for Causal Effect Estimation
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dan+Chen%22">Dan Chen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4595-9971">0000-0003-4595-9971</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Juan+Juan+Zhang%22">Juan Juan Zhang</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Henry+S%2E+Lynn%22">Henry S. Lynn</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Teaching+Statistics%3A+An+International+Journal+for+Teachers%22"><i>Teaching Statistics: An International Journal for Teachers</i></searchLink>. 2026 48(3):160-171.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 12
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data%22">Data</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Visualization%22">Visualization</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Causal+Models%22">Causal Models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Abstract+Reasoning%22">Abstract Reasoning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computation%22">Computation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graphs%22">Graphs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+Analysis%22">Data Analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Multiple+Choice+Tests%22">Multiple Choice Tests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inquiry%22">Inquiry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Active+Learning%22">Active Learning</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1002/test.70031
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  Data: 0141-982X<br />1467-9639
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  Data: Causal effect estimation has gained much attention in recent years, and it is not uncommon to see graduate students incorporate these analyses into their research. However, students may not be aware how model assumptions and causal reasoning can critically influence their results. We borrowed a simple dataset that was previously used to demonstrate the use of directed acyclic graphs and designed a set of accompanying data analysis multiple-choice questions to engage students in inquiry-based learning, guiding them to discover the importance of data visualization and subject-specific causal reasoning for assessing different methods of causal effect estimation.
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  Data: As Provided
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  Data: 20260101
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  Data: EJ1516728
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      – SubjectFull: Computation
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      – SubjectFull: Inquiry
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      – SubjectFull: Active Learning
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      – TitleFull: Data Visualization and Causal Reasoning Are Essential for Causal Effect Estimation
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