Moon Over Miami
This topic submitted by Julie Housiaux Micah Sherman Brandy McQueary Brandon Black (mcqueabj@muohio.edu) at 10:38 am on 12/16/99. Additions were last made on Wednesday, August 9, 2000. Section: Nicholson
Introduction:
The purpose of this lab is to determine the correlation between the lunar cycle and its affect on the moods of Miami University students. Research has been done to relate human activity to tidal shifts and the moon; however, we have not conducted conclusive research ourselves. The outcome of this experiment may show that there are more than internal factors influencing one's mood. The group hypothesizes that there will be a direct link between lunar phases and the general temperament of Miami students.
As a group we reached the topic unanimously. All of the group members had
at least a mild interest concerning the relevance between the lunar cycles and its effect, if any, on human behavior. As human beings it seems obvious that at some point in every life a question will be posed concerning how much impact an individual has in controlling his or her own temperament. The group spent numerous hours brainstorming possible relationships that could emerge in the behavior patterns of humankind. We concluded that age, background, and situation most likely contribute to an individual's disposition. This in turn may be affected by the continuous cycle of the moon. With this new insight, the group crafted a survey that inquired about the following personal information: year in school, age, academic division, date of birth, gender, and both a numerical and objective frame of mind.
We all share a common interest in astrology and the supposed affiliation between the moon and people's moods. After a month of surveying approximately forty individuals per day we will verify through explicit data any and all affiliations juxtaposed between the lunar cycle and the general feelings on campus. It has been surmised that the day of the week along with the location in which each survey was taken will have some relevance in the conclusions made by those being surveyed. For example, students will be happier on the weekends and slightly more stressed before Friday tests. It also seems obvious that answers may differ in a person's general mood while watching a sporting event verses studying at the library. Each survey will be accurately recorded.
At the completion of this lab, we hope to have gained a greater understanding of the emotional and mental relationships the moon shares with humankind, and in particular college students on our campus. The implication of this lab is to observe the human as a primitive form, taking into consideration previous studies that have been conducted on the relationship between humans and animals and the lunar cycle.
Relevance of Research Question:
In the past much research has been conducted concerning the patterns between the cycle of the moon and the behavior of humans and of animals in the wild. Both hunters and park rangers have tracked the specific nature and time of such documented animal occurrences. Animals such as fish and deer have been monitored in this kind of research. This particular venture in the scientific world may lead to future innovations that may prove that outside natural phenomenon plays a vital role in human behavior and action.
Before embarking on such a daunting experiment the group attempted to do research, attempted because most of the documented information discovered was inconclusive and at times bizarre. One of the first articles stumbled upon was, "Moon Phases and It's Effect". This particular article addresses the affect that the sun and moon have on human beings. Apparently humans have a circadian rhythm (a behavioral and/or psychological rhythms associated with the 24 hour earth rotation) that each individual comes by innately. Light controls the hormone Melatomen, thus changing the behavior cycle. This article deals specifically with the effects of light on deer, but many of the same characteristics carry over into the human world. While this article is not an abundant source of information, it perks the mind to inquire exactly what effect light plays on human behavior and emotion. Further research may lead to the affect light has on suicide cases, or areas with high suicide rates.
Earth and Sky published an article entitled, "The Moon's Influence"; again this article provides little factual data. It does, however, confirm that a) the moon has some affect on the earth and her inhabitants, and b) others somewhere are inquiring on the same subject. This article states that (without citing any scientific data) there are more accidents, suicides, murders, and babies born under a full moon. It tells that weather patterns and increased precipitation are connected in some manner to the phases of the moon. This article also provides a phone number and additional links for more information.
"The Lunar Information Sheet", offers a rather interesting viewpoint about the moon from an astrological perspective. Most folks have little faith in horoscopes; they are fun to read for entertainment purposes, yet they doubt that they have any scientific relevance. According to this article the moon reflects femininity.
The moon is again addressed from a rather mystic point of view in "Moon Phases and What They Mean to Us". The reading refers to the term "lunatic" as coming from the weird occurrences surrounding the full moon. The moon has a waxing and waning cycle. The moon has two major cycles, and three phases within each cycle.
"Mystic Lady" further describes, in detail, the characteristics of each cycle. In "Lunar Phases and Emergency Services" the article addresses the notion that
lunar phases have a direct correlation with human behavior. Data was collected from St. Joseph, Missouri and disproves any past theories about the moon and it's affect on emergency room visits and police service calls. This study also counters that while there is no scientific data proving the moons influence, more people in the police and medical fields, along with college students, believe rather than disbelieve in such a phenomenon.
In an article entitled "Lunar Phases, Lunatic Correlation May Only Be Self-fulfilling Prophecy", Shelly Fogle opposes any correlation between human behavior and the cycle of the moon, while at the same time actually citing occurrences that support such a theory.
Lunar Phases and Emergency Services, this article addresses the notion that lunar phases have a direct correlation with human behavior. Data was collected from St. Joseph, Missouri and disproves any past theories about the moon, and it's affect on emergency room visits and police service calls. This study also counters that while there is no scientific data proving the moons influence, more people in the police and medical fields, along with college students, believe rather than disbelieve in such a phenomenon.
In and article entitled, Lunar Phases, Lunatic Correlation May Only Be Self-fulfilling Prophecy, Shelly Fogle opposes any correlation between human behavior and the cycle of the moon, while at the same time actually citing occurrences that support such a theory. Judy Parker, director of community relations at Parkview Hospital in Topeka, Kansas, has had years of first hand experience and claims that anything is possible. She points out that individuals who work in the mental heath profession seem to have a six sense about the cycles of the moon, due to the behavior patterns of their patients. A person's physical well-being as well as mental disposition may go through a series of changes. "There are some correlations. People tend to have feelings of restlessness, anxiety and are less able to manage stress," Parker said. The hospital Help-Line, a telephone crisis line, seems to experience more calls around the time of the full moon. And according to a spokesperson at Memorial Hospital in Manhattan. "There are more babies born around the time of the full moon, but there is nothing that states it is because of the full moon." Dr. Terry Pfannenstiel, program manager for adult services at Pawnee Mental Health services, said there are anecdotes but no scientific studies that connect the full moon and odd occurrences.
Materials and Methods:
Other than a survey that has been generated by the group (see first attached sheet), and the people completing the survey, no other materials are needed. At the conclusion of the research, nearly 1200 subjects will have been interviewed. The subjects all range in age, graduating class, and gender. The method of the entire lab is straightforward. Every day for a complete lunar cycle, the four group members will each interview 10 people (40 people per day) in various locations throughout campus. Surveying will take place between 6pm and 9pm. These hours were specifically chosen because it is a convenient time for the team and because most people are aware of the mood that has developed over the course of their day.
The group will simultaneously be surveying themselves, but keeping that data separate from the other data. This will provide a constant yet conscious survey group. The class will also be interviewed, so they can critique the survey and better understand the project. Class and instructor input will be extremely helpful. After acquiring an approved survey, the experiment will commence. The surveying begins on October 21 and continues through November 20. When using a survey to conduct an experiment, it is critical to retain a professional and academic atmosphere. Surveying the general public is a means of extracting a general opinion, while at the same time creating a large margin for error due to natural human error and incompetence as well as a lack of a control group. Once the data is compiled it will be perused for patterns and conclusions will be made.
Research will be conducted throughout the month in the library and online. The lab is anticipated to benefit from past research done on the same premise, and hopefully to find information in the forms of periodicals, journals, and scientific texts. The lab will be fully completed in early December.
Results:
A complete record of our survey results follows. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete numerous calculations without extensive cutting and pasting within the Stat View program. We have, however, included the most basic and necessary calculations and graphs.
What we initially wanted to accomplish was to see if there was a direct relationship between people's emotions and the cycles of the moon. This would have been done through calculating the average "rate your day' rating for each day. We would then compile that information into an easy to read graph with average ratings on the y-axis and the chronically listed dates on the x-axis. We also made a table with the locations that we surveyed and their vital statistics. This shows that location played a large role in our overall results.
The mood-date graph gave us a wave-like pattern. However, it did not support our hypothesis. The peaks and troughs tended to coincide with day of the week rather than part of the cycle. The lack that of conclusive results, was disheartening to say the least, yet it was interesting to see the correlation between mood and location and day of the week.
Discussion and Conclusion:
There are several things that we would change if we were given a chance to repeat the same experiment. Most importantly, we would find a set group of people to interview in a controlled location throughout the entire cycle. This way we could ensure that the survey participants are committed to the project. The project would last through several cycles as well. A longer experiment may produce better results. Also, the participants would have a clear idea about what we expect for types of answers. Since they're being interviewed at the same location throughout the month, their location will play a limited role in their emotional responses. Also, the mood ratings (happy, sad, etc.) were highly subjective; because of this we were unable to gain clear statistical analysis.
Human error, both on our part and the part of our survey subjects, played a large role in the final results of our project. Despite very clear instructions some people chose to ignore the way the survey was meant to be completed. We cannot insure that they told the truth at all times because they had nothing invested in the assignment. At times parts of the survey were left blank, leaving holes in our data sheet.
Overall, our group was too ambitious in most areas. We attempted to survey too many people and too many factors were involved. Occasionally, a group member would forget to survey. At the end of the cycle, we had close to 800, rather than 1200, completed surveys. We frequently went to the same locations; we originally intended to survey independently of one another and in different locations each night. We often surveyed in groups of two. There were too many components for our project to be successfully completed by such small group in such a short amount of time.
While the experiment did not produce the results that we were hoping for, we did learn from this project. We learned about the power of teamwork. At the beginning of the project the four of us were simply classmates. At the end of the project, we were friends. For the first time for all of us, we had the opportunity to apply the scientific process to a real-life situation. In the future, we will have a more comprehensive view of student-generated labs, and the learning process invested in every venture.
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