Factors Which Influence the Breaking of Hair, Lab Report Example

Experiment Design Documentation

Part 1: Background of the Experiment

Hair breakage, although to some is just a particularly low-grade problem in relation to health, it poses serious concerns especially for women. This is the reason why the researchers of this particular experiment wishes to explore one of the most important factors that are believed to define the capacity of hair to avoid breakage which is strength. In this particular experiment, measuring the strength of the hair through applying pressure on it through pulling it from both ends shall be the basis of strength determination. It is recognized by the researchers that such condition of the hair strands would be affected by several factors including the frequency of hair treatment that the strands receive. Hence, to make such comparisons more realistic and reliable, such conditions and factors of differences among the collected samples are carried into consideration and are then included as part of the observation procedures. To note, the particular question that this experiment aims to respond to is: what factors specifically influence the breaking of the hair? Such issue shall be responded upon through identifying the capacity of the hair strands to withstand pressure given their original characteristics as defined by the participants from whom the samples are to be sourced from.

Part 2: Variables of Design

The researchers would involve at least ten participants [women in particular] to undergo the hair testing process. Relatively, such condition of the research shall be based on the determination of the different hair-related activities the participants usually engage in. Among these particular activities involve constant styling and going to the salon. Notably, it could be understood that somehow, such types of activities specifically affect the entire stability of the individual’s hair especially when challenged with imposed pressure.

Herein, it is defined that the independent variable of the study is the primary hair condition of the samples that were taken from the participants. Relatively, this element cannot be altered anymore as it is pre-assumed that each sample would have a specific characteristic that cannot be controlled nor changed by the researcher anymore. On the other end, the dependent variable may include elements such as that of the chemicals added to the strands of the hair samples collected. This will depend on the treatments that these strands have undergone. Although the chemicals used for the treatments may not be identified anymore [as they are not considered relatively important for this research], the impact they have on the quality and strength of the hair has a great impact on how the entire experiment would turn out to be.

To maintain the controlled variable constant, which is the current temperature of the hair, the strands to be used as samples are not to be altered with any particular elements anymore. Since the factor being assumed to have an impact on the hair’s strength is the frequency of treatment it receives, all the samples are assured to be dry and untreated during the time of the experiment. This will then impose that it is only the participants themselves who could have altered the condition of the hair strands specifically affecting the strength of each piece when undergoing the strength test measurement.

Part 3: Materials and Procedures of Experiment

Materials to Use:

•  Digital Force Meter
• Computer
• Hair strands with fixed lengths from 10 participants

These materials are considered in the process [especially the digital tools] are noted to have a great impact on the reduction of possible mistakes that the experimentation would have in relation to the result being expected from the study. It is assumed that utilizing electrical tools would allow for a better sense of recording data that is essentially important for the research.

Steps Considered:

• The sensor shall be calibrated for measuring accuracy. After which, it shall already be prepared for measuring the strength of the hair strands prepared for their resistance to implicated stress for breakage.
• The heir strands shall be separated according to category especially relating to strands coming from participants who receive hair treatments regularly against those that come from participants who get treatments less than seldom compared against the first category.
• Each strand is tested up to five times whereas pressure is imposed on each sample until it breaks. Data shall be noted especially those that define the strength of the strands tested.

To analyze the data collected, t-test sampling shall be used. This approach is considered relevant to the ideal process of measurement that is needed to identify the results from the data collected during the sampling process. Notably, such condition of testing insists on the comparison of results from the two-category design if the samples [category a: the hair strands receiving constant chemical treatments and category b: the hair strands that do not receive as much treatment compared to the latter set].

To note, there are a total of 20 strands [two strands are taken from each of the ten participants]. Generally, the strands that came from the less treated participants stood stronger under pressure; 6 out of 10 strands only broke after force was applied through pulling the strands apart. On the other end, the ones that came from the participants getting regular hair treatments specifically ended at a rather low rate of strength reliability based on the capacity of the samples to withstand pressure and stress from the experimentation; 8 out of the ten samples actually broke within level one application of force.

It could be noted through the results gained from this particular study that specific treatments on hair that women usually undergo [to likely beautify and improve their hair-capacity] affect the quality of the hair strands. The constant exposure to hair treatment substances [including heat from steam] weaken the quality of the hair strand thus pointing out that such condition indicates the need for women to see and understand thoroughly how their hair-quality is actually affected by the treatments they accept hence influencing the higher rate of hair breakage among the said individuals.

Implications of Study and Experimentation

The experiment’s result specifically point out the fact and reasonability behind the hypothesis to which the design of this study is dependent upon. Notably, it is the decision of women to undergo massive hair treatments relatively creates a distinction on how much they weaken their hair’s quality especially in relation to the strands’ ability to withstand external pressure. It is because of this particular matter that it could be agreed that the results of this research is indeed supportive of the idealism that it tries to prove especially when it comes improving the hair quality that women have through pointing out one of the most eminent factors that contribute to hair breakage.