Overview
Goal
The goal of this project is to review, retest and analyze a paper published regarding chopstick length from the Taiwan Institute of Technology
Dataset
I will be using the "optimum length of chopsticks" data set where researchers set out to determine the optimal length of chopsticks for children and adults. They came up with a measure of how effective a pair of chopsticks performed, called the "Food Pinching Performance." The "Food Pinching Performance" was determined by counting the number of peanuts picked and placed in a cup (PPPC).
Abstract
Chopsticks are one of the most simple and popular hand tools ever invented by humans, but have not previously been investigated by ergonomists. Two laboratory studies were conducted in this research, using a randomised complete block design, to evaluate the effects of the length of the chopsticks on the food-serving performance of adults and children. Thirty-one male junior college students and 21 primary school pupils served as subjects for the experiment to test chopsticks lengths of 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, and 330 mm. The results showed that the food-pinching performance was significantly affected by the length of the chopsticks, and that chopsticks of about 240 and 180 mm long were optimal for adults and pupils, respectively. Based on these findings, the researchers suggested that families with children should provide both 240 and 180 mm long chopsticks. In addition, restaurants could provide 210 mm long chopsticks, considering the trade-offs between ergonomics and cost.
Link to Full Paper
Link to Full Paper
Analysis
Independent and Dependent Variables.
To determine the optimal length of chopsticks the researchers used "chopstick length" as the independent variable and "food pinching efficiency" as the dependent variable.
Operational definition of the dependent variable.
The variable was defined as a measure for chopsticks performance, called the "Food Pinching Performance." The "Food Pinching Performance" was determined by counting the number of peanuts picked and placed in a cup (PPPC).
Controlled Variables.
Based on the description of the experiment and the data set I know the two variables were controlled for were "Students" and "Chopstick Length"
- Students: Thirty-one male junior college students and 21 primary school pupils served as subjects
- Chopsticks Lengths: 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, and 330 mm
By graphing the data I can see a sparse bimodal pattern for chopstick length on the bottom.
Conclusion
In the abstract the researchers stated, "the results showed that the food-pinching performance was significantly affected by the length of the chopsticks, and that chopsticks of about 240 and 180 mm long were optimal for adults and pupils, respectively."
After analysis of the data I agree with the claims. The highest number for the dependent variable is the best option to reccomend taking into consideration there might be two optimal lengths depending on what chopstick length fits individual size hands.