causalplot

Tired of spending endless time customizing a causal process graph in Word or trying to decipher the inner workings of the TikZ package in LaTeX? The goal of causalplot is to create publication-ready causal process plots using a simple convenience function that demands almost nothing of the user and lets you focus your attention on what actually matters—the theorizing. Users chose between templates and add their own variable and mechanism labels, and the package produces a causal plot. The package also allows for additional customization in terms of text color, box color, fonts, and captions.

Installation

You can install the development version of causalplot from Github with:

# install.packages("devtools")
# devtools::install_github("sebastianvanbaalen/causalplot")

Bug-reports and suggestions?

Are you missing a template or is something not running as it should? Submit a report through Github or email Sebastian at sebastian.van-baalen@pcr.uu.se.

Example

Making a causal diagram using causalplot is easy. All you need is an idea, your variable names, and labels for your causal mechanisms or causal process steps. Use the type argument to chose between different templates in the plot gallery. Below is the code for making the simplest plot consisting only of three boxes: one for the independent variable, one for the dependent variable, and one for the causal mechanism.

causal_plot(
  type = "111",
  labels = c(
    "Lack of natural resources",
    "Increased dependence on civilians",
    "More responsive rebel governance"
  ),
  wrap_width = 16
)

Gallery

causalplot includes several different templates and requires no manual definition of nodes and arrows, simplifying the plotting experience. Below is an overview of all available templates, as well as examples of how to customize the plots. Feel free to reach out if you are missing a particular set-up.

One-step causal mechanism

A simple one-step causal mechanism plot with an independent variable, dependent variable, and one causal mechanism box.

causal_plot(
  type = "111", # Chose the plot template
  text_size = 3, # Set the text size
  box_ratio = 1 # Increase the box height
)

Two-step causal mechanism

A two-step causal mechanism plot with an independent variable, dependent variable, and two causal process boxes.

causal_plot(
  type = "1111", 
  text_size = 4,
  wrap_width = 17, # Set the number of characters before line skip
  fill_mechanisms = "white" # Set the color of the process boxes
)

Three-step causal mechanism

A three-step causal mechanism plot with an independent variable, dependent variable, and three causal process boxes.

causal_plot(
  type = "11111",
  text_size = 4
)

Dual-pathway causal mechanism

A two-step causal mechanism plot with an independent variable, dependent variable, and two separate causal pathways.

causal_plot(
  type = "1221", 
  labels = c(
    "Independent variable",
    "Path 1: mechanism step 1",
    "Path 2: mechanism step 1",
    "Path 1: mechanism step 2",
    "Path 2: mechanism step 2",
    "Dependent variable"
  ),
  wrap_width = 17,
  text_size = 4,
  fill_mechanisms = "black",
  fill_variables = "black",
  text_color = "white",
  font = "Times" # Set the font
)

Dual-pathway causal mechanism with joint first step

causal_plot(
  type = "1121", 
  labels = c(
    "Independent variable",
    "Shared mechanism step 1",
    "Path 1: mechanism step 2",
    "Path 2: mechanism step 2",
    "Dependent variable"
  ),
  wrap_width = 17,
  text_size = 4,
  fill_variables = "grey50", # Set the color for the variable boxes
  fill_mechanisms = "grey80" # Set the color for the process boxes
)

Dual-pathway causal mechanism with joint second step

causal_plot(
  type = "1211", 
  labels = c(
    "Independent variable",
    "Path 1: mechanism step 1",
    "Path 2: mechanism step 1",
    "Shared mechanism step 2",
    "Dependent variable"
  ),
  wrap_width = 17,
  text_size = 4,
  fill_variables = "#59C7EB",
  fill_mechanisms = "#CCEEF9"
)

The classic “bathtub” causal mechanism

The classic “bathtub” visualization of a causal relationship (for instance, discussed here) with a direct macro-level arrow and a two-step causal mechanism.

causal_plot(
  type = "bathtub",
  text_size = 4,
  fill_variables = "#31A354",
  fill_mechanisms = "#BAE4B3"
)

One-step causal mechanism with moderator

A one-step causal mechanism plot with an independent variable, dependent variable, one causal mechanism box, and a moderator variable.

causal_plot(
  type = "111_moderator",
  labels = c(
    "Independent variable",
    "Causal mechanism",
    "Dependent variable",
    "Moderator variable"
  ),
  text_size = 4
)

One-step causal mechanism with confounder

A one-step causal mechanism plot with an independent variable, dependent variable, one causal mechanism box, and a confounding variable.

causal_plot(
  type = "111_confounder",
  labels = c(
    "Independent variable",
    "Causal mechanism",
    "Dependent variable",
    "Confounding variable"
  ),
  text_size = 4
)

Save your plot

causalplot uses ggplot2 to generate the plots, so they can be saved using the ggsave command.

ggplot2::ggsave("man/figures/causal_plot.png", height = 5, width = 12)

Citation

Did you like the package? No need to cite it, but please add a note to your figure with the following text:

“Generated using the causalplot R package created by Sebastian van Baalen.”