| Complexity level: | 4 |
| Time required: | Time required considers time need to find participants. |
| Safety concerns: |
Overview
Some research has been promulgated to challenge the idea that the more information we have, the better the choice we make. While it is true that information helps making better decisions, too much information may however, lead us to make decisions that are not based on critical thinking.
Past research has been conducted on how consumers make decisions when presented with a wide variety of choices, versus a limited number of choices. Other studies have included test-tasting a product, such as breakfast jam. When told beforehand that a certain brand of jam has received the highest ratings based on a consumer report, subjects often allow this information to influence their choice of product.
This science fair project will be a modification of the jam experiment - in that you will be testing three groups of participants. The first group will have to make a product selection based solely on their preferences. The second group will be offered an expert opinion before they make their selection, and the third group will be treated the same as the second group, only that they will have to justify their final decision.
Scientific Terms
Materials
- A minimum of 30 participants
- An assortment of different brand name food or drink products. Example would include:
- Different brands of cookies.
- Different brands of chewing gum.
- Different brands of soft drinks.
- Paper for each participant
- Pens or pencils.
- Data sheet (provided).
Procedure
Group A
- Test the participants in each group separately.
- Tell them that this is a taste test and that they should taste all samples of the product before choosing the one they prefer.
- Upon making their decision, record their selection on the data sheet under column Group A. Repeat this process with all participants within the group.
Group B
- Repeat the same procedures as in group A, except that you will add one more dimension to the behavioral science experiment. Before the participants begin the taste test, tell them that one brand has received the highest ratings in a recent consumer report (Rating information does not have to be factual; you can choose any brand as being top rated, but be sure to tell them which brand it is. Also, make sure that you designate this as the top brand for group C).
- Upon making their decision, record their selection on the data sheet under column Group B.
Group C
Repeat the same procedures as in group B, except that the participants will need to justify the reasons for their decision. (This has to be explained to the participants before they start the taste test).
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Data table |
Group A Data table |
Brand selected |
Group B Data table |
Brand selected |
Group C Data table |
Brand selected |
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Participant 1 |
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Participant 2 |
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Participant 3 |
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Participant 4 |
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Participant 5 |
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Participant 6 |
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Participant 7 |
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Participant 8 |
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Participant 9 |
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Participant 10 |
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Brand designated top rated: |
