AAQ Caffeine and Reaction Time

Does That Coffee Kick In? An Analysis of Caffeine's Effect on Reaction Time
Introduction
Reaction time, the time it takes for an individual to respond to a stimulus, is a fundamental aspect of cognitive function. Many factors can influence reaction time, including age, fatigue, and interestingly, caffeine consumption. This experiment aimed to investigate the impact of caffeine on reaction time in healthy adults.
Participants
Fifty healthy college students (25 male, 25 female) aged 18-25 were recruited for this study. Participants reported no history of neurological disorders, substance abuse (except occasional caffeine), or regular use of medications that might affect cognitive function. Informed consent was obtained according to ethical research guidelines established by the American Psychological Association (APA) [1].
Methodology
A double-blind, placebo-controlled design was employed. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a capsule containing 200mg of caffeine or a placebo capsule indistinguishable from the caffeine capsule. Neither the participants nor the researchers administering the capsules knew who received caffeine until after the data analysis.
Following a 30-minute wait to allow for caffeine absorption, participants completed a computerized simple reaction time task. The task involved pressing a spacebar as quickly as possible when a visual stimulus (a colored square) appeared on the screen. Reaction time (in milliseconds) was measured for each trial, and the average reaction time across 50 trials was calculated for each participant.
Ethical Considerations
The study adhered to ethical research principles. Informed consent ensured participants understood the study's purpose and potential risks. The caffeine dosage (200mg) was within a safe range for healthy adults. Participants were free to withdraw from the study at any point. Additionally, anonymity was maintained throughout the research process.
Results
The results revealed a significant difference in reaction time between the caffeine and placebo groups. The average reaction time for the caffeine group was lower (faster) compared to the placebo group. This data is visually represented in the following graph:
Figure 1: Average Reaction Time (ms) by Group

bar graph with two bars. Xaxis labeled Group with categories Caffeine and Placebo. Yaxis labeled Average Reaction Time (ms). The caffeine bar is shorter than the placebo bar
Discussion
The findings support the hypothesis that caffeine consumption can improve reaction time. This aligns with previous research demonstrating that caffeine enhances alertness and cognitive function by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleepiness [2]. The faster reaction times observed in the caffeine group suggest improved information processing and neural activity.
However, limitations exist. The study relied on a limited sample size, and the effects of caffeine might vary based on individual factors like prior caffeine consumption or genetics. Future research could explore these nuances and investigate the optimal caffeine dosage for maximizing cognitive benefits.
Source Citation
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
Nehlig, A., & Davia, C. S. (2012). Caffeine and cognition. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 3, 63. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20182035/
Your response to the question should be provided in six parts:  A, B, C, D, E and F.  Write the response to each part of the question in complete sentences.  Use appropriate psychological terminology in your response.

Using the source provided, respond to the following questions.
Identify the research method used in the study.
State the operational definition of reaction time
Describe the meaning of mean score..
Identify at least one ethical guideline applied by the researchers.
Explain the extent to which the research finding may or may not be generalizable using specific and relevant evidence from the study.
Explain how at least one of the research findings supports or refutes the hypothesis in the study.