This does not have to be restricted to 'hard' science, because political researchers are the worst habitual offenders. Archaeology, economics and market research are other areas where cause and effect is important, so should provide some excellent examples of how to establish cause and effect.
Fiddling while Rome burns. Meaning. To occupy oneself with unimportant matters and neglect priorities during a crisis. Origin. The source of this phrase is the story that Nero played the fiddle (violin) while Rome burned, during the great fire in AD 64. There are two major flaws with the story. Firstly, there was no such instrument as the fiddle (violin) in first century Rome.
Under Floor Heating (hypocaust). Rich Roman houses had central heating which was under the floors. This heating system was called a hypocaust. The floors were supported on stacks of tiles (pilae) and hot air was circulated under the floor from a furnace stoked outside the building. Mosaic Floors. Mosaic have been found on the floors of many Roman buildings. Rich Romans decorated the floors of their main rooms with mosaics-tiny coloured stones (tesserae). These were stuck to the floor with mortar, a type of cement. Each mosaic used thousands of pieces to make a pattern. Mosaic floors were a statement of wealth and importance.