RPA 7 - Reaction time

Method

1. Person 1 sits on a stool with good upright posture

2. Person 1 places the forearm of their dominant arm across the table with their hand overhanging the edge

3. Person 2 holds a ruler vertically where the 0cm mark is between person 1’s thumb and first finger

4. Person 2 tells person 1 to prepare to catch the ruler

5. Person 2 drops the ruler at a random time

6. Person 1 tries to catch the ruler as fast as possible with their thumb and first finger

7. Person 2 records the measurement on the ruler at the level at the top of person 1’s thumb

8. Person 1 takes a short rest and the test is repeated

9. A mean is calculated

10. Swap places and repeat

Independent variable

Person having their reaction time tested

Time between test

Hand they are using

Certain chemical affect reaction time

Dependent variable

Reaction time

Control variable

Starting distance between thumb and 1st finger

Measure ruler at the top of the thumb

Conditions of the room (lighting and noise)