Annex A-Group Research Proposal (Science)

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SINGAPORE


INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS IN SCIENCE


Names:
Marcus Chan (10)
Reuben Ang (9)
Gavin Ong (21)
Ng Yun Shu (5)    
Class: S2-05       
Group Reference: F   



  1. Indicate the type of research that you are adopting:


[X] Test a hypothesis: Hypothesis-driven research
e.g. Investigation of the anti-bacteria effect of chrysanthemum


[    ] Measure a value: Experimental research (I)
e.g. Determination of the mass of Jupiter using planetary photography


[    ] Measure a function or relationship: Experimental research (II)
e.g. Investigation of the effect of temperature on the growth of crystals


[    ] Construct a model: Theoretical sciences and applied mathematics
e.g. Modeling of the cooling curve of naphthalene  
[    ] Observational and exploratory research
e.g. Investigation of the soil quality in School of Science and Technology, Singapore  
[    ] Improve a product or process: Industrial and applied research
e.g. Development of a SMART and GREEN energy system for households  




1. Write a research proposal of your interested topic in the following format:
Title: An investigation on how acids in fruits affect the amount of bacteria on the iPhone screen.


  1. The Aim: We want to find out which acid(s) in fruits can kill the most amount of  bacteria on the iPhone screen.
  1. The independent variable is the acid(s) in different fruits.
  1. The dependent variable is the amount of bacteria found on the iPhone screen left on the petri dish.
Research Question: How does the acids in fruits affect bacteria on the iPhone screen?
The Aim
We want to identify which acid(s) in fruits can kill the most bacteria on the different parts of the screen of the iPhone.


[Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Citric+Malic Acid, Malic+Tartaric Acid, Citric+Tartaric Acid]
Independent Variable
The acid(s) in the different fruits we have selected.


[Raspberry, Nectarines, Avocado, Peaches]
Dependent Variable
The amount of bacteria from the two parts of the screen of the iPhone which are left after the application of the juice filtrate from each fruit.
Constant
We will collect one sample of bacteria from the black area of the screen and one on the ear receiver area. This will be our sample and we will see if the bacteria grows on the agar dish.
 Hypothesis:
The lower the pH level in the fruits, the more bacteria will be killed.





  1. Description in detail of method or procedures (The following are important and key items that should be included when formulating ANY AND ALL research plans.)
Equipment list:  
Apparatus:
  • Agar Dishes X17 (15 for use, 2 extra)
  • Sterile Swabs X30 (18 for use, 12 for extra in case we need to redo)
  • Microscope X2
  • Test Tubes X8
  • Micropipettors 0.5-10ul X1
  • Micropipettors 10-100ul X1
  • Micropipettors 100-1000ul X1
  • Sterile pipette tips X20
  • Beaker X3
  • pH Meter X1
  • Food processor X1
  • Blender X1
Equipment:
  • Fruits (Raspberry for citric acid, nectarines for malic acid, avocados for tartaric acid, peaches for malic and citric acid, passion fruit+avocados for tartaric and malic acid, raspberry+avocados for citric and tartaric acid) each fruit X2
  • Knives X2
  • Ceramic square plates X2
  • Filter Paper X15
  • Funnel X1
  • Glass Rod X2










Diagram:


Part 1.

















Part 2.


Part 3.



•Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design to be used for data collection
1.) Take sterile swab and swipe across the touchscreen (black part ONLY) of the iPhone.
2.) Swipe the sterile swab containing the bacteria from the iPhone onto the agar dish.
3.) Take another sterile swab and swipe across the call area part of the screen (where we place our ears to receive calls) of the iPhone.
4.)  Swipe the sterile swab containing the bacteria from the iPhone onto the agar dish.
5.) Extract juice out of each Raspberry (Citric Acid) and collect it in one beaker.
6.) Place filter paper on funnel and place second beaker below.
7.)Pour Raspberry extract into funnel with filter paper on it to filter out any pulp and collect filtrate in beaker.
8.) Pour 100ml of Raspberry extract filtrate into a test tube.
9.) Take sterile swab and dip it into the Raspberry extract filtrate.
10.) Using the sterile swab which contains the Raspberry extract filtrate, swipe across an area in the agar dish which contains a large amount of bacteria from the touchscreen
(black part ONLY) of the iPhone.
11.) Take another sterile swab and dip it into the Raspberry extract filtrate.
12.) Using the sterile swab which contains the Raspberry extract filtrate, swipe across an area in the agar dish which contains a large amount of bacteria from the screen (where we place our ears to receive calls) of the iPhone.
13.) Repeat Steps 1 to 12 with Passionfruit (Malic Acid), Avocados (Tartaric Acid),
Passion fruit+Avocados (Tartaric and Malic Acid), Peaches (Malic and Citric Acid), Raspberry+Avocados (Citric and Tartaric Acid)
14.) Everyday, we examine and count the amount of remaining bacteria alive under a microscope.
15.) Note it down and chart out to see which fruit acids or combos kills the most bacteria.
16.) Use pH meter to examine all fruit acids or combos and note down pH level.
17.) Examine if hypothesis is correct.
18.) Change hypothesis if it is wrong.



• Risk and Safety: Identify any potential risks and safety precautions to be taken.
List
  • Bacteria.
  • Fruits.
  • Agar dishes.



Assess
  • Getting infected by bacteria.
  • Decomposition of fruits will lead to contamination of other products and will affect our results and lead to unpleasant odour.
  • Contamination of the agar dishes while applying bacteria onto it because of talking or coughing.
  • Juice of the fruits may be contaminated if forceps are not sterile when handling it.
  • Sterile equipment may be contaminated if opened and not used immediately.
  • Cross contamination between bacteria in different juices.




Safety Precautions
  • Use a Biohazard waste bag when disposing materials.
  • Use a pair of gloves when handling bacteria.
  • Wear goggles when handling the juices and bacteria.
  • Do not talk, cough, sing or whistle when handling agar dishes, fruits or bacteria.
  • Clean work area with 70% ethanol to kill unwanted bacteria.
  • Tape up the agar dishes after use to prevent any bacteria from gaining entry.
  • Only open packaging of sterile materials when about to use them.
  • Use pipettors only once so as to prevent cross contamination.




• Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results that answer research questions or hypotheses
Firstly we will test each juice filtrate or combination of two to see find out the pH level.
We will then look under the microscope if needed to see if the bacteria count has reduced after applying the juice filtrate to the agar dish containing the bacteria from the iPhone. Afterwards, once we identify the juice with the most bacteria killed, either via naked eye or the microscope, we will correlate the juice filtrate or combination with their pH level to see if our hypothesis is correct.
  • Test juice filtrate or a combination of juice filtrates with pH Meter to identify pH levels of the acids.
  • After application of acids on agar dish with bacteria, observe with naked eye or microscope to see if the bacteria population has decreased or increased.
  • Correlate type of acid(s) to the agar dish with the bacteria population that has decreased the most.
  • Assess if hypothesis is correct.
Example of the results and analysis:
Fruit (Acid)
Raspberry(Citric Acid)
Nectarines
(Malic Acid)
Avocado
(Tartaric Acid)
Peaches
(Malic + Citric Acid)
Nectarine+Avocado
(Malic +Tartaric Acid)
Raspberry+Avocado
(Citric+
Tartaric Acid)
pH Level
3.2-3.6
3.9-4.2
6.3-6.6
3.4-4.1
Eg. 5
Eg. 4.5



Bacteria on iPhone screen with type of juice
Raspberry
(Citric Acid)
Nectarine
(Malic Acid)
Avocado
(Tartaric Acid)
Peaches
(Malic + Citric Acid)
Nectarine+Avocado
(Malic +Tartaric Acid)
Raspberry+Avocado
(Citric+
Tartaric Acid)
Number of remaining bacteria
2 spots of bacteria left
4 spots of bacteria left
7 spots of bacteria left
3 spots of bacteria left
6 spots of bacteria left
5 spots of bacteria left




Bacteria on iPhone ear receiver area with type of juice
Raspberry
(Citric Acid)
Nectarine
(Malic Acid)
Avocado
(Tartaric Acid)
Peaches
(Malic + Citric Acid)
Nectarine+Avocado
(Malic +Tartaric Acid)
Raspberry+Avocado
(Citric+
Tartaric Acid)
Number of remaining
bacteria
1 spot of bacteria left
3 spots of bacteria left
6 spots of bacteria left
2 spots of bacteria left
5 spots of bacteria left
4 spots of bacteria left


Therefore we conclude that the best acid for killing bacteria on the iPhone is citric acid which comes from the raspberry. This proves our hypothesis is correct which states that the lower the pH level, the more bacteria killed.
























D. Bibliography: List at least five (5) major references (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your literature review. If you plan to use vertebrate animals, one of these references must be an animal care reference. Choose the APA format and use it consistently to reference the literature used in the research plan. List your entries in alphabetical order.




  1. Caroline Porter.  (2012, October 23).  Calling All Germs.  The Wall Street Journal.  Retrieved July 8, 2013.  From http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444868204578064960544587522.html?mod=e2tw.
  2. Daniel Bates. (2012, 31 August). You may want to wipe down your mobile as phones found to have more germs than a TOILET SEAT.  Mail Online.Retrieved July 8, 2013, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2196365/Mobile-phones-germs-toilet-seat.html.
  3. Darice Britt (2013, June). HEALTH RISKS OF USING MOBILE PHONES. Retrieved June 9, 2013, from http://source.southuniversity.edu/health-risks-of-using-mobile-phones-137310.aspx.
  4. Food and Foodstuff - pH Values.  (n.d.)  Food and Foodstuff - pH Values.  Retrieved July 21, 2013.  From http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/food-ph-d_403.html.
  5. Hawkins Watts.  (n.d.).  Natural Acids of Fruits and Vegetables.  HawkinsWattsNewZealand.  Retrieved July 15, 2013.  From http://www.hawkinswatts.com/documents/Natural%20Acids%20of%20Fruits%20and%20Vegetables.pdf.
  6. Life Technologies.  (n.d.)  Aseptic Technique.  Retrieved July 21, 2013, from http://www.invitrogen.com/site/us/en/home/References/gibco-cell-culture-basics/aseptic-technique.html
  7. Oren Yaniv.  (2010, June 5).  Do they have an app for hand sanitizer? Demo iPads at city Apple stores are crawling with bacteria.  Daily News.  Retrieved July 8, 2013.  From http://www.nydailynews.com/news/app-alling-demo-ipads-found-crawling-bacteria-article-1.179212
  8. Steve Sande.  (2010, October 15).  iPhone, iPad glass crawling with bacteria and viruses.  Tuaw.  Retrieved July 8, 2013.  From http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/15/report-iphone-ipad-glass-crawling-with-bacteria-and-viruses/
  9. Will Chris Holley.  (n.d.)  Bacteria.  Archure.net.  Retrieved July 22, 2013.  From http://www.archure.net/salus/bacteria.html
  10. Susan Baxter.  (n.d.)  Terrifying Germs That Live on Your Smartphone.  10TopTenREVIEWS.  Retrieved July 22. 2013. From http://cell-phones.toptenreviews.com/smartphones/terrifying-germs-that-live-on-your-smartphone.html

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)