Unit 5 Discussion Assignment
Causal Reasoning Micro-Research
For this assignment, you will conduct a Micro-Research project. You will make 2 original posts
on the Discussion Board and 2 responses to your classmates at any point during the Unit.
Your 1st Post: You will pose a simple hypothesis and methodology (feel free to read other
students’ posts to get additional ideas, and make comments).
Data collection: Then you will conduct your Micro-Research study and collect your data.
Your 2nd Post: You will share your results, write a short analysis and commentary using the
concepts of causation and correlation as your learned about in this Unit.
What’s a Micro-Research?
It’s something you should be able to complete within 3-4 days. Begin with a question you’ve
been wondering about, something that you want to find out from your personal life, work
environment, everyday occurrences, habits, patterns etc. For example, “Why is my bicycle
making that creaking sound?” or “Is checking my phone before bed prevents me from falling
asleep?” or “Is riding the first (or last) subway car really gets me to work faster?”
• Pose a question similar to these and that will be your research question.
• Then form a simple hypothesis and think about what data you might need to collect in
order to answer your question.
• Collect and systematically record your data.
• Then look at your results and see if you can detect any patterns. Use the concepts from
this course to write your analysis, including limitations and possible next steps.
Another option for you, if you like my example below, is to continue building on the ‘Cold
Shower Research’, using different variables and conditions.
Here is my example: Cold Shower Research
My 1st Post on the Discussion Board:
I noticed that some days I feel really energetic and clear-headed in the mornings but other days I
feel kind of lethargic and low-energy. I wonder why. (This is my rationale for the study). A
while ago I read online that taking a cold shower in the morning – instead of a hot shower – eases
stress and increases focus and alertness. (Here I provide some background) For this MicroResearch I want to experiment if taking a cold shower makes me feel more energetic in the mornings. (Hypothesis) In order to show this, I will take a cold shower for 4 days in a row and
on those days I will record my energy level from ‘High to Low’. I will set an alarm for myself at
10 am on those days and record how I feel. What I expect to see is that on the Cold Shower days
I will see my energy level in the ‘High’ category.
Then I collected my data for 4 days.
My 2nd Post on the Discussion Board:
Here is my data chart and analysis for my Cold Shower Micro-Research:
Days Shower Temperature Energy Level at 10 am
Day 1 Cool High
Day 2 Cool High
Day 3 Cool Medium
Day 4 Cool High
Analysis: I noticed that all four of the cool shower days my energy level was High or
Medium. On most days (3 out of 4), I had high energy and only 1 day I had medium energy.
That confirms my expectation… (Here I summarize what my data shows me, what I see). I took a
look at the background conditions… (I would reference our text/lecture here). There might be
other variables that influence my focus and energy levels in the morning. For example,
sometimes I meditate in the morning and other days I don’t, some days I drink coffee but not
every day, and some days I get a good night sleep, while other days I don’t. Also, I should
continue this experiment for more than just four days and compare my energy level on Cold,
Cool, Warm and Hot shower days, as well. In addition, I would also ask some friends and family
members to participate in my research, and we would need to agree on the definitions of ‘high’,
‘medium’, or ‘low’ energy. (Here I provide some contextual background and list the limitations)
Conclusion: Overall, a cool shower is at the most a probable condition for higher energy and
focus level in the morning. They might be positively correlated, but it’s not a causal relationship
because according to our text/lecture… (Here I would reference course materials to draw a
conclusion, talk about rigor and use Mill’s Method, if it was relevant)
Personal Comments: I had a very good time experimenting with taking a cool morning shower.
Even though the result is inconclusive, a cool shower was refreshing and energizing and I will
definitely continue this morning routine in the future… (My personal experience)
Recommendations for Success and Grading Criteria:
• Respond to the assignment with clear and detailed answers, organized thoughts.
• Follow all assignment prompts and answers all prompt questions.
• Incorporate relevant examples and evidence to support claims.
• Write clearly and without errors a well-composed answer and post it on time.
• Respond to other students with interesting comments and follow-up
questions. Acknowledge all students who commented on your post.