Experimental Design Essay, Research Paper

Experimental Design

Question

Is cancer caused by long-term exposure to power frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF)?

Hypothesis

High intensity electromagnetic fields effect cells causing a genetic mutation that leads to cancer.

Variables

Dependant Electromagnetic Field

Independent Location/proximity, duration of exposure

Controlled Diet, species, age, sex, area of confinement

Procedure

Levels of Treatment

1. 100 Rats were divided into 2 groups. 50 matched pairs by age & sex.

2. The pairs were separated and placed into two groups (EMF and nonEMF)

3. One group (EMF) was placed in individual cages measuring 18 x36 x18 , on which an EMF generator is affixed. (EMF generating at least 20 mG (Milligauss, the measure of weak magnetic field intensity.))

4. The control group was placed in exact dwellings save for the EMF generator.

5. Both the control group and the experimental group were monitored daily for two years (food & water levels)

6. Following the experiment all the rats were subjected to medical testing, including blood testing, dissection and cellular analysis, to determine if they had developed cancer.

Prediction

If prolonged exposure to EMF causes cancer, then there should by an increased number of rats with cancer in the experimental group as opposed to the control group.