Dont forget!

Lauren Hiett

Rationale (or Summary)

I wanted to do this project to see a range of
memory strengths with different ages and
genders. The importance of this project is that it
shows the range of random number
memorization with different ages and genders
of people. Some background information on my
project is that I used a random number
generator website to get the number patterns.

Investigative Question
How many randomly chosen numbers can
people remember in a row?

Hypothesis
If multiple test subjects are tested on how many
numbers they can remember in the correct
order during multiple trials, then I think that they
will be able to remember an average of about
half of the numbers recited to them as
evidenced by their responses to the surveys.

Variables
My independent variable is the order and amount of
numbers given to the test subject each trial.
My dependent variable is how many numbers the test
subject can remember in the correct order each trial.
Other possible variables that were kept constant throughout
the project are the numbers on the cards. The same
numbers were recited to each test subject.

Materials Needed

Access to the Internet

9 index cards
Plastic bags
Binder to keep notecards organized
Notebook and pen to record data
4 research participant test subjects

Procedure (numbered, step-by-step)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

On the first set of index cards, write two numbers on each card. Put them in a plastic bag labelled 2.
On the second set of index cards, do the same as step 1, but with 3 numbers on the card and the bag labelled
3.
On the third set of index cards, repeat the previous step, but put 4 numbers on the card and label the bag 4.
On the fourth set of index cards, repeat the previous step, but put 5 numbers on the card and label the bag 5.
On the fifth set of index cards, repeat the previous step, but put 6 numbers on the card and label the bag 6.
On the sixth set of index cards, repeat the previous step, but put 7 numbers on the card and label the bag 7.
On the seventh set of index cards, repeat the previous step, but put 8 numbers on the card and label the bag 8.
On the eighth set of index cards, repeat the previous step, but put 9 numbers on the card and label the bag 9.
On the ninth set of index cards, repeat the previous step, but put 10 numbers on the card and label the bag 10.
Beginning with the card with 2 numbers, read them to the volunteer. Keep reading each set of cards until you
have no more cards to read.
In a data table, put a mark under the number (2-10) that the volunteer repeated back to you in the correct order.
Leave it blank wherever the volunteer couldnt remember the numbers in the correct order.
After all of the trials are done on each test subject, make a bar graph using the data you collected during the
experiments.

Pictures

Picture credits: http://goo.gl/iYVe9g

Data Table

Graph
Correct answers

Results
After testing 4 research participants, the average of correct
answers was 7 numbers. The 60 year old male participant
got through 6 trials correctly, the 13 year old female
research participant got through 8 trials correctly, the 11
year old female research participant got through 7 trials
correctly, and the 10 year old female research participant
also got through 7 trials correctly. This proves that when
averaged, the correct number of trials was 7 numbers.

Conclusion
To conclude, the average number of correct trials was 7 trials. My hypothesis was
incorrect because I had guessed that the average was going to be 5 trials. The
relationship between the independent and dependent variables is that the independent
variable (the order and amount of numbers given to the test subject each trial) relates to
the dependent variable (how many numbers the test subject can remember in the correct
order each trial) by the test subject changing their dependent variable each time the
independent variable (most likely) increases. A summary of my experimental is that
taking 9 notecards, you write 2 digits on the first number, 3 on the next, etc. You increase
the digit count each note card until there are no more cards. The digits you write are from
a random number generator website known as random.org. After all of the notecards are
completed, gather your test subjects and test each of them separately. After that record
the data and make a data table and graph.

Next Time/Future Considerations

If I did this project again I would involve more
research participants and do more trials with
different digits and put more digits on each of
the note cards.

Acknowledgments
Thank you to my test subjects for participating
as my research participants. Thank you to my
parents for buying supplies for me to be able to
complete this project. Lastly, thank you to Mrs.
Holt for helping me create my data table and
chart.

Bibliography
Can You Remember These Phone Numbers? Can You Remember These Phone Numbers? Web. 08 Oct. 2014
How Many Numbers Can You Remember? How Many Numbers Can You Remember? Web. 08 Oct. 2014
How Many Words Can You Remember? Word Memorization Experiment. Web. 07 Oct. 2014
Memory Research Laboratory - Our Research. Memory Research Laboratory - Our Research. Web. 07 Oct. 2014
Memory Research Laboratory. Memory Research Laboratory. Web. 07 Oct. 2014
True Random Number Service. RANDOM.ORG Web. 07 Oct. 2014