This paper discusses the prediction, outline, and results of an experiment used to determine if Vitamin A can help to improve eye sight. My hypothesis is that Vitamin A does help improve vision in those who are impaired. In order to prove this, we used a double blind study that was observed over 6 months. As a result we were able to confirm that Vitamin A actually does help improve eyesight.
In this study we will be experimenting to see whether or not Vitamin A can improve vision. In this experiment we cannot assume that taking Vitamin A causes vision to improve. We must do an experiment to prove that there is a real correlation between Vitamin A consumption and vison improvement. My hypothesis is that Vitamin A will help to moderately improve vision in those with vision impairment.
Experiment Outline
In this experiment we will have two groups of individuals randomly selected from a population, also known as a random sample. This means every individual with vision impairment in the state that this experiment is conducted in will be equally likely to be given the opportunity to participate in the trial. Participants will be split into two groups. One group will be the control group. The control group will not receive any Vitamin A, but will instead be given a placebo. The experimental group individuals will be given the Vitamin A. Participants will be randomly assigned to groups. This study will be conducted as a double blind study in which neither the Vitamin A administrators nor the participants know whether the drug they are giving or receiving is really Vitamin A. This helps to control a placebo effect, in which the participants begin to feel the desired effect of the drug they are suspecting to have gotten. The independent variable, or the variable that is manipulated, is the Vitamin A. The dependent variable is the amount of improvement, or lack thereof, in vision. In this study participants were given a dose of Vitamin A daily in the morning for 6 months. While the experimental group was receiving the Vitamin A, the control group received a sugar pill as the placebo. Patient’s Visions were checked weekly and monitored for improvement.
Participant Selection
Participants were randomly selected from three major hospitals in the state of Wisconsin. The age, gender, and health of the patients vary drastically and could contribute to confounding variables. All participants are residents of Wisconsin which generalizes the cultural backgrounds of those involved.
Participants were obtained from advertisements posted in three major hospitals in Wisconsin. All participants were on a volunteer basis, and none were paid. Participants all had vision impairment and in many cases were seeking a natural remedy to their disability. Participants were instructed to stop any current medications that could make results unclear. They were also instructed not to have the substance given to them tested in order to identify it. All participants signed an agreement, agreeing to participate in the full 6 month trial and obey all instructions given to them from the experimenters involved.
Assessment and Measures
The vision of each participant was evaluated weekly by a trained eye doctor. The exam results would be charted. If no improvement occurred the patient’s line would be straight horizontal. If the vision improved it would increase consistently in a diagonal line over time. This would continue for 6 months.
Procedure
It is very important that during a scientific experiment much control is put into place in order to increase the chances of accurate results. Placebo effects and experimenter effects were controlled by making the study a double blind study. This way neither the experimenter nor the participant was aware whether or not the independent variable was present. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group, eliminating bias. Conditions during testing were comfortable, non-invasive, and humane. At no point did participants have to go out of their comfort zones and at no point was patient confidentiality breached.
Discussion
In conclusion my hypothesis was that Vitamin A would help improve eyesight. As a result of being given a dose of Vitamin A, participant’s vision improved therefore proving my hypothesis. However this study was limited to eye patients from only three hospitals, all of which were located in Wisconsin. The variety of different sight complications may mean that this treatment does not work for everyone. Also while this study was diverse in age and gender, it was not very racially diverse which could contribute to outlying factors. Overall the findings that Vitamin A can help improve eyesight may help millions of people who suffer from vison loss. If this experiment was conducted on a much larger scale the results would be more accurate.
