The National Student Research Center
E-Journal of Student Research: Consumerism
Volume 2, Number 1, December, 1993
The National Student Research Center
is dedicated to promoting student research and the use of the
scientific method in all subject areas across the curriculum,
especially science and math.
For more information contact:
- John I. Swang, Ph.D.
- Founder/Director
- National Student Research Center
- 2024 Livingston Street
- Mandeville, Louisiana 70448
- U.S.A.
- E-Mail: nsrcmms@communique.net
- http://youth.net/nsrc/nsrc.html
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Which Popcorn Is Fluffiest?
- Students' Favorite Candy
- Different Prices for Lunch
- The Cheapest Fast Food Restaurant
- Airfares Around The U.S.
- Software Prices
- Which Is Better: Wendy's or McDonald's
- Candy Prices
- Convenience or Not
Title: Which Popcorn is Fluffiest?
Student Author: Jennifer Luc
School: Mimosa Park Elementary School
Grade: 3
Teacher: Mrs. Lawson, M.Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I wanted to know which kind of popcorn was the fluffiest. My
hypothesis stated that the most expensive popcorn would be the
fluffiest.
II. METHODOLOGY:
I bought several brands of popcorn and popped them. I counted
out 100 popped kernels. I put the 100 popcorn kernels in a cup
and measured how high the they filled it with a ruler. I
repeated this two more times for each brand. Then I averaged
the three readings. The brand with the highest average reading
was the fluffiest.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
Cost Rank
Brand per pack 1 2 3 Avg. Order
Crakin Good $.33 4" 4" 3.5" 3.8 6
Orville
Redenbacher's $.98 3" 3.5" 3" 3.2 7
Act II $.50 4.5" 4" 3.5" 4 3
Food Club $.55 3.5" 4" 4" 3.8 5
Pop Weaver's $.60 5" 4.5" 4" 4.5 2
Pillsbury $.87 3.5" 4" 4" 3.8 4
Popsrite $.58 3" 3" 3" 3 8
Pop Secret $.66 5.5" 5" 4.5" 5 1
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Pop Secret was the fluffiest. It was not the most expensive.
Therefore I reject my hypothesis.
TITLE: Students' Favorite Candy Bar
STUDENT RESEARCHERS: Melanie Grenier and Erin Scally
SCHOOL: Dawson Elementary School
Holden, Massachusetts
GRADE: 5
TEACHER: Wayne Boisselle, M.Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
We want to find out what kind of candy bar fifth graders at
Dawson School like most. Our hypothesis states that the
regular Snickers Bar will be the most popular.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First , we wrote our statement of purpose, did a review of the
literature, and developed a hypothesis. We designed a survey
asking the fifth graders to write in their favorite candy bar.
We drew a random sample of 30 fifth graders. Finally, we
analyzed our data and accepted our hypothesis.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
We received 24 questionnaires back. There were 7 Snickers, 5
Milky Way, 3 Heath Bars, 2 Hershey's Cookies and Cream, 2 Baby
Ruth, 2 Nestles Crunch, 1 Butter Finger, 1 Charleston Chew, and
1 Carammelo.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Our hypothesis was correct. More students chose the regular
Snickers Bar as their favorite. Therefore, we accept our
hypothesis which stated that the regular Snickers Bar would be
the most popular.
V. APPLICATION:
If someone asked us the name of a good candy bar, we would say
Snickers.
TITLE: Different Prices for Lunch
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Audrey Bohlmann
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: E. Marino, M.Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I wanted to find out if it would cost more to buy the school's
hot lunch or to take my lunch to school everyday for a week.
My hypothesis stated that it will be cheaper to buy my lunch at
school everyday for a week then bringing my lunch to school for
a week.
II. METHODOLOGY:
I wrote a statement of purpose, review of literature, and
stated my hypothesis. I picked out the items I would need to
make my lunch for one week. I went to Delchamps and priced
plastic bags, sandwich bags, Bunny Bread, Jiff Peanut Butter,
Hi-C Drinks, Chips Ahoy Cookies, and plums. Next, I divided
the prices by five (days) so that I could find out how much
money I would spend for a week of bringing my lunch to school.
Then I found out how much I would spend buying the school's hot
lunch for a week. Then I analyzed my data, wrote a summary and
conclusion, accepted or rejected my hypothesis, and applied my
findings to the real world.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
I found out that sandwich bags for a week will cost $.13,
plastic bags - $.66, Bunny Bread (small)- $.60, Jiff Peanut
Butter- $.95, Hi-C Drinks- $.90, Chips Ahoy Cookies- $1.20, and
plums- $1.99. All of this will cost $6.43 for a week. If I
were to buy the school lunch for a week it would cost $2.50.
The difference between bringing my lunch for a week and buying
my lunch for a week is $3.93.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
From the information I have collected I can say that it is more
expensive to bring my lunch to school everyday for a week than
buying the school lunch everyday for a week. Therefore, I
accepted my hypothesis which stated that it would be cheaper
to buy my lunch at school everyday for a week then bringing my
lunch to school for a week.
V. APPLICATION:
I can tell my mother that it is cheaper to buy the school's
lunch everyday so that she can save money.
TITLE: The Cheapest Fast Food Restaurant
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Cody Schafer
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 4
TEACHER: Bonnie L. Stokes, M.Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I wanted to determine which of five fast food restaurants has
the cheapest small cheeseburger, small fries, and small Coke.
My hypothesis stated that
McDonald's will be cheapest.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I wrote my statement of purpose. Then I reviewed my
literature and developed my hypothesis. I then called the five
fast food restaurants of my choice and collected my
information. I called Wendy's, McDonald's, Bud's Broiler,
Dairy Queen, and Burger King. Finally, I wrote my analysis of
data, accepted or rejected my hypothesis, and wrote my summary
and conclusion, and application.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
At Wendy's a cheeseburger costs $0.79, small fries costs $0.79,
and a small Coke costs $0.79. The total price of the order was
$2.37. At McDonald's a cheeseburger costs $0.69, small fries
cost $0.69, and a small Coke costs $0.59. The total price of
the order was $1.89. At Bud's Broiler a cheeseburger costs
$2.00, small fries cost $0.81, and a small Coke costs $0.78.
the total was $3.50. At Dairy Queen a cheeseburger costs
$1.49, small fries cost $0.72, and a small Coke costs $0.78.
The total cost was $2.99. At Burger King a cheeseburger costs
$0.95, small fries cost $0.79, and a small Coke costs $0.79.
The total price was $2.53. The lowest price was McDonald's
with $1.89. McDonald's was the cheapest out of Burger King,
Buds Broiler, Wendy's, Dairy Queen, and McDonald's.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
I found out that McDonald's is the cheapest fast food
restaurant in Mandeville. Therefore, I accepted my hypothesis
which stated that McDonald's would cost the least amount of
money.
V. APPLICATION:
If you want a small cheeseburger, small fries, and a small Coke
it would be a lot cheaper to go to McDonalds than Bud's
Broiler, Wendy's, Dairy Queen, or Burger King.
TITLE: Airfares Around the U.S.
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Michelle Forinash
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: E. Marino, M.Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I wanted to find out what airline has the cheapest average
round trip coach ticket to various location in the USA. My
hypothesis states that United Airlines will have the cheapest
average round trip coach ticket from New Orleans Int. Airport
to Los Angeles Int., O'Hare, and J.F.K..
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I stated my problem, reviewed the literature, and
developed my hypothesis. Next, I called a travel agent and
asked for the full price of a ticket on United Airlines,
American Airlines, and Delta from New Orleans Int. to J.F.K.
(New York), O'Hare (Chicago), and Los Angeles Int. I recorded
the three prices on the three airlines on my data collection
sheet. I analyzed my data, accepted or rejected my hypothesis,
wrote a summary and conclusion, and applied my findings to the
real world.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
A plane ticket from New Orleans Int. to J.F.K. was $218 on
United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta. A ticket to Los
Angeles was $450 on all three of the airlines. A ticket to
O'Hare was $330 on all three of the airlines.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Since the plane tickets didn't vary in cost, one airline was
not any more expensive than any other airline. Therefore, I
rejected my hypothesis which stated that United Airlines would
be the cheapest.
V. APPLICATION:
I now know that when buying a full price ticket it doesn't
matter what airline you use. I also know that you should look
for the best specials when purchasing a plane ticket to get the
cheapest price.
TITLE: Software Prices
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Elizabeth Smith
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: E. Marino, M.Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I would like to find out about the prices of software at stores
and through mail order catalogs because I think it will be
interesting. My hypothesis states that mail order computer
software will cost less than the same type of software
purchased in a local store.
II. METHODOLOGY
First, I stated my purpose and wrote my hypothesis. I reviewed
my literature. I listed my materials. I drove to Office Depot
and CompUSA and recorded the price for "Where in the World is
Carmen Sandiego" and "SimCity". Then I went through two mail
order catalogues and got the price of the same software. I
recorded this on my data collection sheet. I analyzed my data.
I wrote my summary and conclusions and applied it to the real
world.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA
The total price for "SimCity" and "Where in the World is Carmen
Sandiego" at CompUSA is $61.98. At Office Depot the same
software was $89.98. In the first mail order catalogue, Fast
Micro, the total was $66. Finally, Telemart's total was $57.
The average price of mail order was $61.50 while the stores'
average price was $75.98
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The total price of mail order is $28.96 less than the price of
store bought software. Therefore, I accept my hypothesis which
states that mail order software is cheaper than the price of
store bought software.
V. APPLICATION
I could apply this to the real world by giving this information
to consumers of software. I could also show this to the makers
of these products and show them that more people buy from other
mail order companies because of lower prices. Next time our
family buys software we'll consider buying it from a mail order
catalogue.
TITLE: Which is the Better Buy: Wendy's or McDonald's?
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Michael Phillips
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 5
TEACHER: Cherie Erkel
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I wanted to find out if a hamburger, large fries, and a medium
coke are cheaper at Wendy's or McDonald's. My hypothesis
stated that McDonald's would be cheaper than Wendy's.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I stated my purpose and developed my hypothesis. Then I
went to McDonald's and ordered a hamburger, large fries, and a
medium coke. Next, I examined my burger, counted my fries, and
measured the amount of ice in my cup. Then, a week later, I
went to Wendy's and ordered the same thing, and went through
the same procedure. Finally, I analyzed my data, wrote my
summary and conclusion, and applied my findings to the real
world.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
At McDonald's, my hamburger, large fries, and medium coke cost
$2.77. At Wendy's it cost $3.25. The hamburgers were
approximately the same size and both orders contained
approximately the same amount of potatoes. The drinks were
both 16 oz. and contained the same amount of ice.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, I discovered that McDonald's is cheaper.
Therefore, I accepted my hypothesis which stated that
McDonald's would be cheaper than Wendy's.
V. APPLICATION:
Since I found out that McDonald's was cheaper, I can tell
people I know to eat there if they are ever low on money when
they are on the road.
TITLE: Candy Prices
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Katherine Smith
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: Ellen Marino, MED
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I did a research project on consumerism. I checked the candy
prices of stores in my area. My hypothesis states that a 1.69
oz. bag of M&M's, a 2.07 oz. Snickers, and a 2.15 oz. Milkey
Way will be cheaper at Delchamps than at Piggly Wiggly or A&P.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I wrote my statement of purpose and review of
literature. Then I developed my hypothesis. Next, I went to
A&P, Delchamps, and Piggly Wiggly and recorded the price of
M&M's, Milky Way, and Snickers on my data collection form.
Then I analyzed my data, wrote a summary and conclusion, and
wrote a application. Finally, I completed my report and wrote
my abstract for publication in the journal.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
At A&P, a Snickers, a Milky Way, and the M&M's cost $.48 for a
total of $1.44. At Delchamps, a Snickers, a Milky Way, and the
M&M's where $.49 for a total of $1.44. At Piggly Wiggly a
Snickers, a Milky Way, and the M&M's cost $.50 each for a total
of a $1.50.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
A&P's and Delchamps' total for the candy was $1.44. They were
both cheaper than Piggly Wiggly. Therefore, I reject my
hypothesis that stated that a 1.69oz bag of M&M's, a 2.15oz
Milky Way, and a 2.07oz Snickers will be cheaper at Delchamps
than at A&P or Piggly Wiggly.
V. APPLICATION
I like to eat snack foods so now I know where to buy Snickers,
Milky Way, and M&M's. I will tell my mom and all my friends.
TITLE: Convenience Or Not
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Vicki Beechler
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: John I. Swang, Ph.D.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I would like to do a research project on which convenience
store has the cheapest prices for milk, bread, and ice. My
hypothesis states that my father's store, Frabbielli's, will
have the cheapest prices.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I wrote my statement of purpose. Then I defined
consumerism and the other concepts I used in my research.
Next, I wrote my review of literature. After that I developed
my hypothesis. Then, to test my hypothesis, I checked the
prices at three stores. I looked at the prices of milk, bread,
and ice from these three stores: Frabbielli's, Racetrack, and
Nannie's. Next, I analyzed my data. Then I rejected or
accepted my hypothesis. After that I wrote my summary and
conclusion and then applied my findings to the real world.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
I went to three different stores to get the prices of bread,
ice, and milk. I found that Frabbielli's bread costs $1.49.
At Nannie's, bread is $1.51. Racetrack sells bread for $1.50.
At Frabbielli's, ice is $1.05. For a bag of ice at Nannie's,
it is $1.09. Ice is also $1.09 at Racetrack. For one gallon
of milk at Frabbielli's, it is $2.79. Nannie's sells milk for
$2.89 for one gallon. At Racetrack, milk is $2.85 for one
gallon. When you total these prices, Frabbielli's is $5.33,
Nannie's is $5.49, and Racetrack is $5.44, Frabbielli's has the
cheapest prices on the food items.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
In my studies, I found that my father's store, Frabbielli's,
was the cheapest store for bread, milk, and ice. Therefore, I
accept my hypothesis which stated that Frabbielli's was the
cheapest store for bread, milk, and ice.
V. APPLICATION:
If you want to save money buying ice, milk, or bread, you can
go to my father's store, Frabbielli's.
© 1993 John I. Swang, Ph.D.