Lisa is working on a science project. Her task is to answer the question: "Does Rogooti (which is a commercial hair product) affect the speed of hair growth". Her family is willing to volunteer for the experiment. Describe how Lisa could conduct her experiment to answer the question.

1 answer

To investigate whether Rogooti affects the speed of hair growth, Lisa can design a controlled and systematic experiment using volunteers from her family. Here’s a step-by-step outline of how she could effectively conduct her study:

Experimental Design

  1. Define the Hypothesis: Lisa should formulate a clear hypothesis based on her research. For example, "Using Rogooti will increase the speed of hair growth compared to not using Rogooti."

  2. Participant Selection:

    • Lisa should recruit a sufficient number of family members to participate in the experiment. Ideally, she should aim for at least 10-15 volunteers.
    • To ensure reliability, include individuals with similar hair types and initial lengths.
  3. Random Assignment:

    • Divide the participants randomly into two groups:
      • Experimental Group: This group will use Rogooti.
      • Control Group: This group will use a placebo product that looks and feels similar but contains no active ingredients.
  4. Baseline Measurement:

    • Measure the initial hair length of each participant before the experiment begins. This could take place over a set area (e.g., 1 inch from the scalp).
    • Record other variables, such as hair condition, age, and any other factors that could affect hair growth (health, diet, etc.).
  5. Treatment Duration:

    • Determine a set period for the experiment, such as 8 to 12 weeks, during which the participants will apply their assigned products consistently (e.g., daily or a few times a week).
  6. Application Instructions:

    • Provide clear instructions regarding the application of Rogooti and the placebo to ensure that both groups use their products in the same manner (e.g., the amount used, frequency, and method of application).
  7. Monitoring Conditions:

    • Encourage participants to maintain similar hair care routines apart from the treatment, such as avoiding drastic changes in hair styling products or techniques during the duration of the study.
  8. Regular Measurements:

    • Plan to measure hair growth at regular intervals (e.g., every two weeks) during the treatment period. Record any growth in hair length and consistently use the same measuring technique.
  9. Data Analysis:

    • After the treatment phase, compare the hair length between the experimental and control groups.
    • Analyze whether the differences in growth rates are statistically significant using appropriate statistical tests (e.g., t-test).
  10. Conclusion:

  • Based on the data analysis, Lisa can draw conclusions on whether Rogooti seems to affect hair growth speed. Discuss any limitations in the study, such as a small sample size or differences in individual hair growth rates unrelated to the product.

Documentation and Reporting

  • Lisa should document all stages of her experiment, including methodology, data collected, analysis, and conclusions reached.
  • Consider including a discussion section in her report to reflect on the findings and any potential implications or future research directions.

By following these steps, Lisa can conduct a thorough and scientific investigation into the effects of Rogooti on hair growth speed, allowing her to provide evidence-based answers to her question.