Experimental Design: Reaction Times

Introduction

In everyday life, you react to and make split second decisions, like eating, testing, and how to

shove through that one group of students walking as slowly as humanly possible. In this

experiment, the speed of a person’s reaction will be tested.

Hypothesis

Eating a ¼ cup of Minute Maid© lemonade powder will increase the reaction speed of a person

because of the high concentration of sugar (fast breaking down energy [carbohydrates]).

Materials

 ¼ cup measuring cup (any size will do. ¼ cup is just easiest to use for designated

amount)*

 Minute Maid© lemonade powder*

 Computer with internet access

 Pencil/Pen

 Paper

 2 volunteers

Steps
 1. Turn on your computer and go to the link

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/java/redgreen.html

2. Have each of your volunteers take the reaction test before they go to bed. NOTE: Allow

for practice tests to be conducted before ay data is recorded.

3. Record the results on a separate piece of paper

4. Have the volunteers take the test again before bed, but have them take the test with the

variable that might increase their reaction speed.

5. Repeat step 3

Independent/Dependent variables and control

The independent variable is the variable that is being changed in the second recorded reaction

test. The dependent variable is the reaction speeds of the volunteers taking the test. The

control is the first recorded reaction test.

Data
Reaction time average (seconds)

Reaction Average Between Volunteers of

Varying Ages
Evan (Age 10) David (age 49)
0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
Test 1 Test 2
Tests
Reaction time average (seconds)

Reaction Times Between Individuals of Varying Ages

Evan (Age 9) Test 1 David (age 49) Test 1
Evan (Age 9) Test 2 David (age 49) Test 2
0.5
0.45 0.44
0.42 0.41
0.39
0.4 0.37
0.35
0.35 0.33
0.31 0.3
0.29 0.32
0.31 0.29
0.28 0.29
0.3 0.29
0.25
0.25 0.23
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5

Trials
Conclusion

My hypothesis should be accepted because the addition of Minute Maid© lemonade powder to

the equation increased the speed a person reacts to things, but for a short time.

*or your variable and all contents needed for it.