C.28.CM:8 - Common Anti-Patterns and How to Avoid Them

Misuse	Repair
“We drew the intermediate cause, so the mechanism is established.”	Recover what supports the intermediate relation and what the rival predicts.
“The common cause explains everything, so there is no direct effect.”	Inspect the proposed direct path separately; both mechanisms may operate.
“This variable is always a confounder.”	Name the question and path before deciding its role or adjustment use.
“All reports in our incident set show the effect.”	Recover registration and selection, then the comparison needed for the target cases.
“The graph fits, so it is the true graph.”	Name the implication actually tested and retain indistinguishable alternatives.
“Remove the original cause and the ongoing problem ends.”	Reconstruct the present persistence mechanism and horizon.
“A better model must precede any response.”	Compare the value of further discrimination with an independently justified available response.