BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Applied Science
Unit 6 – Investigative Project
Assignment 3
Abstract
This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of caffeine on human reaction time. Caffeine is a
stimulant that blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, increasing alertness and potentially
improving reaction speed. The null hypothesis stated that caffeine would have no significant effect
on reaction time, with any differences being due to chance. The alternative hypothesis stated that
caffeine would significantly improve reaction time.
To test this, participants were divided into groups and given different doses of caffeine (0.05 g, 0.1 g,
0.2 g, 0.25 g, and 0.3 g). After a 30-minute absorption period, their reaction times were measured
using both a ruler drop test and a computer-based reaction time test. Each participant completed
three trials, and their average reaction time was recorded.
The results showed a general trend of improved reaction time with increasing caffeine dosage.
Statistical analysis was used to determine whether these differences were significant. However,
limitations such as individual differences in caffeine metabolism, external distractions, and the
variability of the ruler drop test may have affected the accuracy of the results.
In conclusion, the findings suggest that caffeine enhances reaction time, supporting the alternative
hypothesis. However, improvements to the method - such as including a placebo control group,
testing a larger sample size, and using a more controlled testing environment - would help increase
the validity and reliability of future studies.
Good abstract
Title
The effect of stimulants on the rate of reaction within humans
Aims
In this experiment, I am going to investigate the effect of caffeine (stimulant) on the rate of
reaction in humans. I am going to use the stimulant caffeine to see if it has any effect on
how fast a person reacts. I will test this by doing the ruler drop test and online reaction test,
then measure how fast their reaction times are.
Independent variable: The amount of caffeine consumed (0 g, 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g)
Dependent variable: Reaction time of participants, measured in seconds using a reaction time test
,Hypothesis:
● Null hypothesis
There is no significant difference between the reaction times of students that take
stimulants compared to students that do not. Any differences are due to chance.
● Alternative hypothesis
There is a significant difference between the reaction times of students that take
stimulants compared to those that do not. Any differences are not due to chance.
Apparatus
● Caffeine solution (with pre-measured doses: 0 g, 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g)
● Ruler (for ruler drop test) or access to an online reaction time test
● Stopwatch or timing app
● Recording sheet for data
● Chairs and table for participants
● Computer or mobile device for testing (if using online test)
● Chemical balance to weigh the caffeine
● Weighing boat, spatula
● Pipette
● Beaker to measure the volume of water
● Drinking cups
● Drinking water for the control groups (0 g)
Changes:
- Meter ruler instead of a normal small ruler
- Caffeine solution doses: 0.05g, 0.1g, 0.2g, 0.25g, 0.3g
- Distilled water was measured by a beaker
- The caffeine solution was measured using a pipette
Diagram
Ruler drop test:
, Figure 1: Ruler Drop Test [1]
Online reaction test:
Unit 6 – Investigative Project
Assignment 3
Abstract
This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of caffeine on human reaction time. Caffeine is a
stimulant that blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, increasing alertness and potentially
improving reaction speed. The null hypothesis stated that caffeine would have no significant effect
on reaction time, with any differences being due to chance. The alternative hypothesis stated that
caffeine would significantly improve reaction time.
To test this, participants were divided into groups and given different doses of caffeine (0.05 g, 0.1 g,
0.2 g, 0.25 g, and 0.3 g). After a 30-minute absorption period, their reaction times were measured
using both a ruler drop test and a computer-based reaction time test. Each participant completed
three trials, and their average reaction time was recorded.
The results showed a general trend of improved reaction time with increasing caffeine dosage.
Statistical analysis was used to determine whether these differences were significant. However,
limitations such as individual differences in caffeine metabolism, external distractions, and the
variability of the ruler drop test may have affected the accuracy of the results.
In conclusion, the findings suggest that caffeine enhances reaction time, supporting the alternative
hypothesis. However, improvements to the method - such as including a placebo control group,
testing a larger sample size, and using a more controlled testing environment - would help increase
the validity and reliability of future studies.
Good abstract
Title
The effect of stimulants on the rate of reaction within humans
Aims
In this experiment, I am going to investigate the effect of caffeine (stimulant) on the rate of
reaction in humans. I am going to use the stimulant caffeine to see if it has any effect on
how fast a person reacts. I will test this by doing the ruler drop test and online reaction test,
then measure how fast their reaction times are.
Independent variable: The amount of caffeine consumed (0 g, 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g)
Dependent variable: Reaction time of participants, measured in seconds using a reaction time test
,Hypothesis:
● Null hypothesis
There is no significant difference between the reaction times of students that take
stimulants compared to students that do not. Any differences are due to chance.
● Alternative hypothesis
There is a significant difference between the reaction times of students that take
stimulants compared to those that do not. Any differences are not due to chance.
Apparatus
● Caffeine solution (with pre-measured doses: 0 g, 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g)
● Ruler (for ruler drop test) or access to an online reaction time test
● Stopwatch or timing app
● Recording sheet for data
● Chairs and table for participants
● Computer or mobile device for testing (if using online test)
● Chemical balance to weigh the caffeine
● Weighing boat, spatula
● Pipette
● Beaker to measure the volume of water
● Drinking cups
● Drinking water for the control groups (0 g)
Changes:
- Meter ruler instead of a normal small ruler
- Caffeine solution doses: 0.05g, 0.1g, 0.2g, 0.25g, 0.3g
- Distilled water was measured by a beaker
- The caffeine solution was measured using a pipette
Diagram
Ruler drop test:
, Figure 1: Ruler Drop Test [1]
Online reaction test:
