REVIEW ARTICLE Cause and Event: Supporting Causal Claims through Logistic Models Ann A. O’Connell & DeLeon L. Gray Published online: 15 May 2011 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011 Abstract Efforts to identify and support credible causal claims have received intense interest in the research community, particularly over the past few decades. In this paper, we focus on the use of statistical procedures designed to support causal claims for a treatment or intervention when the response variable of interest is dichotomous. We identify seven key features of logistic regression studies that should play a critical role in estimating a causal effect and discuss their implications for causal inference. These include elaboration of research design, clarification of link function, model specification, challenges and limitations of sample size, interpretation of treatment effect through odds ratios, statistical tests and examination of model fit, and the potential for multilevel logistic models in pursuit of causal claims. Our recommendations are intended to guide researchers in the critical evaluation of logistic regression models for analyses culminating in causal claims and to promote stronger design and modeling strategies for reliable causal inference. Keywords Causality . Logistic regression The quest to understand what works in educational and psychological research—indeed, in all research that seeks to identify ways to improve the human condition—remains a dominant theme in continuing debates on scientifically based research, causality, and evidence-based practice (Riehl 2006; Schneider et al. 2007; Towne et al. 2004). The most rigorous research designs are perceived as those involving random assignment or that otherwise minimize the effect of selection bias and potential for rival plausible alternatives when establishing a treatment effect. Support for valid estimates of treatment effects from Educ Psychol Rev (2011) 23:245–261 DOI 10.1007/s10648-011-9158-7 A. A. O’Connell (*) College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, 29 West Woodruff Road, Room 211A Ramseyer, Columbus, OH 43210, USA e-mail: aoconnell@ehe.osu.edu D. L. Gray College of Education and Human Ecology, Program in Educational Psychology and Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 29 West Woodruff Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA e-mail: gray.561@osu.edu