Analysis

Experiment #1 - Effect of the Font Size of a Reading Piece on the Idea Memory Percentage of a Middle-Aged Reader
The results of this experiment show what the most outstanding font size is, which was what I was trying to determine in my hypothesis. The hypothesis has little relevance to the results. The data shows that the 10 point font size was the best font size for a better idea memory percentage in middle-aged adults (ages 45-64). If more reading pieces were published with a 10 point font format, then readers of that age category would be able to read reading pieces and remember concepts from it better. Based on the data that I have collected, I can infer that the reading piece with the highest readability of font size would allow the reader to remember the most from it. I can also infer that people remember better if they are reading a reading piece with a format that is common and they are familiar with it. This experiment may have turned out differently from another experiment of the same kind because there will be different people used. There may be a little difference, but since this is a random survey of the general public,
it should be around the same. It turns out that the results of this experiment do not match the hypothesis. Possibly, it may relate to the fact that the other fonts are too big, even though the size 13 point font is average-sized. There are no obvious scientific theories related to this experiment.

Experiment #2 - Effect of the Type of Font (Sans Serif Versus Serif) of a Reading Piece on the Idea Memory Percentage of a Middle-Aged Reader
The results of this experiment show what the most outstanding font type is, which in this case, as predicted by my hypothesis, is the serif font type. The data shows that the serif font type is the best type of font for an increase in the idea memory percentage of a middle-aged reader. If more reading pieces were published with a serif font type, perhaps people may remember things that they read better. Using the data I have collected, I can make a few inferences based on them. I can infer that a reading piece with reasonably good readability when referring to font type, yet not the best, can help a reader remember things better. I can also infer that people prefer to stick to the old-fashioned fonts instead of the new trendy ones, since they may be easier to read, as demonstrated by the collected data. The data that I have gathered from this particular experiment matches the
hypothesis. Perhaps, it is because of the same reason as in my hypothesis, where the little tails and ticks on the individual letters trail to the next letter, causing better flow movement from the eyes. Other researchers that have been consulted think that these results make sense, but a statistical analysis should be done. See the statistical analysis that is separate from this. There are no obvious scientific theories related to this experiment.

Experiment #3 - Effect of the Font Colour of a Reading Piece on the Idea Memory Percentage of a Middle-Aged Reader
The results of this experiment show what the best font colour for increasing the idea memory percentage is. The data shows that the blue font colour is the best colour of font that should be used to increase the idea memory percentage of a middle-aged reader. Reading pieces published with a blue-coloured font would help the readers remember things better. After collecting these results, I can make a few inferences. I can infer that the brain has stronger synaptic connections to help memory when the eyes perceive colours that are of a lower wavelength. I can also infer that the best readability along with the best colour for affecting memory can help increase the idea memory percentage. The data that I have gathered from this experiment does not match the hypothesis. I hypothesized that the black font would be better for the memory, since it was more commonly used, but that was wrong. There are no obvious scientific theories that relate to this experiment.

Experiment #4 - Effect of the Column Width of a Reading Piece on the Idea Memory Percentage of a Middle-Aged Reader
The results of this experiment show which one of the column widths is the best for helping increase the idea memory percentage. The data shows that the six inch column width is the best choice out of the three choices of widths. The other two options were the two inch and the four inch column. The six inch column would be good for publishing, as it already is. The idea memory percentage of a middle-aged reader would go up. After collecting all the data, I can make a few inferences based on all of it. The six inch column width increases the readability, which in this case only, affects the idea memory percentage. Also, it is probably a matter of comfort, since people have been reading six inch column widths all of their life. The data that I have gathered does not match the hypothesis that I stated at the beginning. It is not the four inch column width, which is in the middle, but the six inch column width, the answer that we have been staring at for all of our lives but never realized that it was useful. There are no obvious scientific theories that relate to this experiment.

Statistical Comparison

       

A standard deviation tells how close results are to the mean, creating a bell curve on the graph, which is laid out like a scatterplot, but goes up and down like a hill, and is connected by a line. It says specifically how big or small a bell curve is. A smaller bell curve means that the results are purposeful, and not just something that is generated by random chance during the data obtaining part of the experiment. The standard deviation is calculated based on all the individual results for each questionnaire. What is being calculated below is the unbiased standard deviation, which is the formula used when the mean has already been
calculated using a different source first.

The standard deviation has been calculated for each of the individual
questionnaires. After seeing these results, it has been concluded that the
results of this experiment were not generated by random chance, but the
results have actual scientific meaning. The bell curve is small because the
numbers are only around 1-1.4, which is a low number. Readability and
legibility do affect a person's idea memory percentage. It is a matter of
how much now. Below are the sizes for each bell curve:

Font Size: 10 Points = 0.924589327
Font Size: 13 Points = 1.055499
Font Size: 16 Points = 1.210567
Font Type: Serif = 1.071635
Font Type: Sans Serif = 1.138904
Font Colour: Blue = 1.291289
Font Colour: Black = 1.398215
Font Colour: Yellow = 1.202141
Column Width: 2 Inch = 1.11473
Column Width: 4 Inch = 1.291589
Column Width: 6 Inch = 1.184808