Causal Analysis:
Specific Example of Causal Chain

Cause:

  • Visited a Reference Librarian

Causal Chain:

  • Visted a Reference Librarian
  • Learned how to use Schoolcraft College's on line databases
  • Found peer reviewed articles for my paper.
  • Incorporated the quality articles into my paper.
  • Received a 4.0.

Potential Paper Thesis:

When you use the causal chain as the basis for a paper, you can not simply say that the initial cause lead to the final effect. For example, rather than intrigue the reader, the following sentence would only cause confusion.

  • I got a 4.0 because of the college librarian.

A better thesis sentence would be

  • Because I visited a reference librarian, I learned important research skills that helped me earn a 4.0.


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Causal Chain

Visted a Reference Librarian
This is the event
that sets off the chain.


Because I visited a reference librarian, I learned about the Schoolcraft College on line databases.

↓


Learned how to use Schoolcraft College's On Line Databases
This effect is the cause
for the next link in chain.


Because I learned how to use the on line databases, I was able to find peer reviewed articles for my paper.

↓


Found peer reviewed articles for my paper.
This effect is the cause
for the next link in chain.


Because peer reviewed articles are the best form of research, I had quality references for my paper.

↓


Incorporated the quality articles into my paper.
This effect is the cause
for the next link in chain.


Because my paper was built on solid evidence, I wrote a quality paper.

↓


Received a 4.0.
This effect concludes the chain.


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