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Research Project Write-Up
Research Project Write-Up
Research Project Write-Up
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Hand Soap vs. Hand Sanitizer
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Nicholas Robless
Honors Biology Hr. 2
Mrs. Schlatter
March 7th, 2011
Table of Contents
Title Page – 1
Table of Contents – 2
Abstract – 3
Review of Literature – 4
Lab Write-Up – 5
Bibliography – 9
MLA citations
2
Abstract
This project was designed to test if hand soap or hand sanitizer is more effective at
cleaning hands. As with many people I’ve spoken to, I believed that hand soap would work
better. To conduct the experiment, I washed one hand with soap and one hand with hand
sanitizer, recorded with a black light, and repeated every 24 hours, for three days. In the end,
though, hand sanitizer turned out to be considerably more effective than soap was.
VS
3
Review of Literature
Subject/Topic
Effectiveness of hand soap vs. the effectiveness of hand sanitizer on common germs
History
Current Information
Soap and water is needed to get off body fluids and dirt
Important Terminology
4
Lab Write-Up
Variables
Constants – Time between tests, brand of soap/sanitizer, amount used, time spent washing
Groups
Experimental Group – Germs left on each hand after soap/hand sanitizer is used
Materials
1 lab assistant
1 towel
5
Procedure
3. Use the black light to observe and record percent of hands covered in germs
5. Have lab assistant wash your left hand with dime-sized amount of soap for 30 seconds
7. Have lab assistant wash your right hand with hand sanitizer for 30 seconds
Data Table
Results
Quantitative:
The average percent of germs after using hand sanitizer was 35%.
Qualitative:
On the first two trials, hand sanitizer visibly killed more germs
On the last trial, there was no observable difference between soap and hand sanitizer
Conclusion
The test on whether or not soap is more effective than sanitizer was conclusive. My
hypothesis that when soap is used, then more germs are killed is proved false, because hand
sanitizer killed more germs. Possible errors include the exact timing of the experiment, different
daily activities, or how much soap/sanitizer was used. This experiment is applicable to real life,
as most people rely on hand washing to prevent the spread of germs. Future studies may
8
Bibliography
Ellis-Christensen, Tricia. “How Does Hand Sanitizer Work?” WiseGeek. 2 January 2011. 6 March
2011. <http://www.wisegeek.com/how-does-hand-sanitizer-work.htm>
Pollick, Michael. “Is Hand Sanitizer Better Than Soap?” WiseGeek. 4 February 2011. 6 March
2011. <http://www.wisegeek.com/is-hand-sanitizer-better-than-soap.htm>
Bumpres, Bianca. “Liquid Soap Ingredients.” eHow. 1 January 2010. 6 March 2011.
<http://www.ehow.com/list_5817249_liquid-soap-ingredients.html>
Pandey, Kundan. “Hand Sanitizer Ingredients.” Buzzle. Publication date unknown. 6 March
2011. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/hand-sanitizer-ingredients.html>
Warren. “The History of Hand Sanitizer.” Hand Sanitizer Store. 12 February 2010. 6
Mohr, Merilyn. “History of Soap.” Denali Dreams. January/February 2002. 6 March 2011.
<http://www.handsanitizerstore.com/blog/purell-clip-on-sanitizer-gel/history-of-hand-
sanitizer/>