Concept structure itself carries causal hypotheses among its dimensions.

Evidence

The issue of causal analysis in concepts has rarely received the attention it is due. Within a three-level concept one must confront the problem of causal analysis. Causal analysis in concepts is uncommon in part because we expend most causal effort at the basic level in analyzing the relationships between independent and dependent variables. I have referred throughout this chapter to the ontology of concepts. The relationship between ontology and causal analysis can vary, as we will see, but most of the time hypotheses about causal effects play a role. Above, I have stressed that we choose many secondary-level dimensions because of their role in causal explanations. — Gary Goertz, Social Science Concepts, 364

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to Sartori-style concept-formation literature and to work on three-level (basic/secondary/indicator) concept structures; also to the reader’s prior chapters on the ontology of concepts.
• DEEPTHINKING: Reframes conceptualization as itself a causal act — choosing dimensions because they do explanatory work — which quietly undermines the fact/value and theory/data separations most methods training assumes.