Rule of Three, Let It Be? When More Really Is Better
- 1 September 2005
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Conflict Management and Peace Science
- Vol. 22 (4), 293-310
- https://doi.org/10.1080/07388940500339209
Abstract
Jim Ray and others in this issue question customary procedures for the quantitative analysis of theoretically complex questions in the social sciences. In this article we address Ray's use of research on the Kantian peace to illustrate his points. We discuss his five guidelines for research, indicating how we agree and disagree, and take up five substantive issues he has raised about our research. With new analyses to supplement our previous work, we show that none of his reservations is well founded. We discuss the costs as well as the benefits of rigid insistence on reducing the number of independent variables in a regression equation.Keywords
This publication has 49 references indexed in Scilit:
- Cumulation from Proper Specification: Theory, Logic, Research Design, and “Nice” LawsConflict Management and Peace Science, 2005
- Causes of Peace: Democracy, Interdependence, and International Organizations, 1885-1992International Studies Quarterly, 2003
- Explaining Interstate Conflict and War: What Should Be Controlled for?Conflict Management and Peace Science, 2003
- Interdependence and Conflict: When Does Symmetry Matter?Conflict Management and Peace Science, 2003
- Dirty PoolInternational Organization, 2001
- Realist and cultural critiques of the democratic peace: A theoretical and empirical re‐assessmentInternational Interactions, 1998
- New Tests of the Democratic Peace: Controlling for Economic Interdependence, 1950-85Political Research Quarterly, 1997
- Alliance, contiguity, wealth, and political stability: Is the lack of conflict among democracies a statistical artifact?International Interactions, 1992
- Big wars, little wars: Avoiding selection biasInternational Interactions, 1990
- Libertarianism and International ViolenceJournal of Conflict Resolution, 1983