Activity 6.1
Hypotheses, Variables and Causality

1. Answer all of the questions for each of the three hypotheses that follow. What are the variables in the hypothesis? What is the unit of analysis? What is the direction of the relationship? Do you think the variables are causally related? If so, explain the logical causal connection between the variables. If not, explain why you think there is no causal connection. Finally, write an alternative to each of the hypotheses, using a different independent variable.
   • Women who run for elective office have higher levels of self-esteem than women who do not run for elective office.
   • The greater the percentage of college graduates in a state, the greater the percentage of women in the state legislature.
   • The more trees there are in a municipality, the lower the crime rate will be.
     
     
2. Write a hypothesis using residents of your home state as the unit of analysis. What are the independent and dependent variables? What is the direction of the relationship? Explain why you think the variables are, or are not, causally related.
   
   
3. Write a hypothesis using nations as the unit of analysis. What are the independent and dependent variables? What is the direction of the relationship? Explain why you think the variables are, or are not, causally related.
   
   
4. Choose a topic about politics that interests you, and write a hypothesis about some behavior or attitude in that area. What are the variables in the hypothesis? What is the unit of analysis? What is the direction of the relationship? Explain why you think the variables are, or are not, causally related.