reaction time investigation

• method:

  1. hold ruler just above an open hand
  2. drop the ruler
  3. person catches the ruler as quickly as they can
  4. record the distance the ruler travelled through their hand
  5. repeat 4 more times and calculate a mean (-> then split group into two smaller groups. give one coffee and other water, repeat to see how it affects reaction time)
• control variables?

  same volume of coffee/water; same concentration; same background noise; same distance between fingers; drop from same height above hand; same time since drinking coffee; same position of hand on table; same hand (left/right)
• dependent variable = distance the ruler travelled through open hand (reaction time)