Scientific method is an experimental process used in identifying a problem and looking for solutions through direct experimentation or through modification of the scientific method. Scientific methods differ depending on scientists and what they are interested in doing. For example, a scientist interested in studying stars will have a different method from one who wants to do a study on animals. Nevertheless, the goal still remains the same; to come up with a possible solutions to whichever problem identified. This paper will trace the scientific method in a study conducted on mice to investigate whether coffee can reduce high blood sugar (anti-diabetic). One group; the controls, was given water and the other group was given coffee. Yamauchi et al (2010) discovered that consumption of coffee may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
On various observations and reading secondary information, the authors discovered that millions of people in the United States and even globally had type 2 diabetes. Minimal evidence existed to explain how coffee would reduce type 2 diabetes. The authors formulated various questions that they had to answer. A hypothesis had to be formulated too. The hypothesis explained every observation they had come across. A prediction of what they had to do was made and how it was to come out. The authors settled on doing a study using the mice (control and treatment). After five weeks of study, they had their data. The data was analyzed and a conclusion drawn from the information they got. They discovered that coffee may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
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Research hypothesis
Basing on the increased levels of type 2 diabetes, consuming considerable amounts of coffee can reduce the risk.
Experimental design
Experimental design refers to how allocation of participants to different conditions in an experiment is done. The participants are usually divided in two groups, the control group and the treated group. The control group acts as the reference point while the treated group is exposed to different conditions (McLeod 2007). In the study carried out, the sample population used was mice. The researchers selected 21 mice. A group of 11 mice was fed on water (control group) while another group of 11 mice was fed on diluted coffee (treatment group) as the fluids for five weeks. The diet and living conditions of both groups were similar. Blood glucose levels were monitored on a weekly basis.
In the experiment, the independent variable was the amount coffee being fed to the mice. This is because the researchers were responsible in measuring the amount of coffee being given to the mice. The blood glucose level was the dependent variable because it was determined by the amount of coffee fed to the mice. The mice fed on coffee had low blood glucose levels as compared to those who were fed on water only. The observation led to the conclusion that coffee my help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The test subjects used in the study were relevant because they undergo mutation just like human beings. The changes that occur during the experiment can also occur in human beings when they drink coffee. One limitation of the study was that the sample size was small and only one population was used. The number would have been increased and two populations or three used. The experiment would also have been done on rabbits or another species of mice. From the conclusion, the researchers did not say whether coffee can reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Relevance of study
The study will help other scientists discover the gaps left out by the researchers. Another group of researchers may decide to conduct the experiment on a different population and see the differences. Continued experimentation can help discover the cure for diabetes. At a personal level, the study will help in understanding the anti-diabetic factors of coffee. The discovery will prompt me to read further and have more knowledge on diabetes and its development.
References
McLeod .S. (2007). Experimental Design . Retrieved on September 26, 2016 from www.simplypsychology.org
Steps of Scientific Method. Retrieved on September 26, 2016 from www.sciencebuddies.org
Yamauchi et al. ( 2010). Coffee and caffeine Ameliorate Hyperglycemia, Fatty Liver an Inflammatory Adipocytokine Expression in Spontaneously Diabetic KK-Ay Mice. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry . 58(9)
