Project Information

Potential Experimental Errors

In this experiment, there were various stages in which the results of the experiment could have been influenced. Even the slightest errors or variable may have caused the experiment to produce different results. By anticipating potential errors, they could be avoided. Because of the several different steps in the experiment, the possible experimental errors are classified according to the different variables involved.

Variables Involving Vitamins

- Difficulty in completely emptying out the content of vitamin A and E capsules.

-        Vitamin C could not be obtained in a liquid form (water soluble vitamin). The vitamin C
            tablets had to be dissolved in 50ml of water. Please refer to calculations and
            explanations in the discussion.

-         The Petri Dishes containing vitamin A and E had less overall liquid quantity than the
           others. The liquid content in the vitamin capsules consisted of several drops only. This
           may have affected seed germination.

- The liquid quantity of the vitamins A and E (fat-soluble) may not have readily diffused
throughout the filter paper lining on the Petri Dish as well as the other liquid saturations.

(vitamin c – water soluble, hydrogen peroxide, water)

-         Vitamins are available in different strengths. The doses that were used in this experiment
           were chosen in accordance to the recommended daily allowance (for the human body).
          This may have affected the germination.

Variables Involving Seeds

- The seeds were obtained in September, at the end of the seed season. The age of the
seeds may have affected the germination.

- The radish seeds are very small, and therefore difficult to count. This may have caused a
bias in the experiment.

- The placement of the seed in the Petri dishes, and the distance between each seed may
have affected the germination.

-         Some seeds were larger than others. Some seeds may have had more of an innate
          disposition to germination. If a larger seed is more likely to germinate than a smaller one,
         the germination may be influenced by that rather than the vitamin in the Petri dish.

- The number of seeds used in the experiment was chosen arbitrarily – 50 radish seeds
per Petri Dish, and 15 bean seeds per Petri Dish.

- It would have been helpful to be able to calculate whether the results were statistically
significant.

Involving Light

- The distance from the light was chosen arbitrarily. There may have been an optimal
distance to favor germination.

- There was no other source of light in the room. This could have also affected germination.

- However, the lighting was consistent throughout all trials.

Involving the Room

- The temperature of the room was chosen arbitrarily. The room had no draft to
minimize error.

Involving the Number of Trials

-         The number of trials performed in this experiment was chosen in accordance with the
           amount of available time. More trials may have affected the overall percentages of
           germination.

Involving the Experimental Design

-         The seeds may not be an accurate, functioning representation of the human body.
     Although Vitamin A was established in this experiment as the best antioxidant, other
     antioxidants may prove to have different effects within human cells.

Before carrying out experiments on humans, plant and animal models are frequently used.

-         The total antioxidant capacity of Vitamin A does not necessarily reflects its potential
     health benefit, which depends on how it is absorbed and utilized in the body, something
     researchers are still trying to better understand.

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