SRP LOGBOOK - RANIA SHEHRYAR YR.

9 2020

Starting off SRP: 27th of March 2020

I started my SRP on the 27th of March 2020, my research question is: ‘’does background
music affect the concentration of the human brain?’’ – below is my background research

Abstract 1st Draft –

The purpose of this experiment is to find out if background music affects the human
brain. I will be testing this on my family members.
‘’HOW BACKGROUND MUSIC AFFECTS THE CONCENTRATION OF
THE HUMAN BRAIN’’
Define Music - according to the dictionary
Vocal or instrumental sounds combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form,
harmony and expression of emotion.

Define Concentration – according to dictionary

The action of power of focusing all one’s attention.

Background music is a common element in daily living and workplace. Determination of

whether background music affects human work and concentration is a common concern.
Studies have found that music influences human behaviour when listened to, but does it
influence human behaviour in a good or bad way and does it or does it not vary to the type
of music that is being listened to.

What is Background music?

Background music refers to a model of music that isn’t dedicated to being the primary focus
of potential listeners – it is there to create atmosphere and ambiance. But, its content,
character, and volume level are intentionally chosen to affect human behavioural and
emotional responses in humans such as concentration, relaxation, excitement and
distraction.

Types of Background music and why they are used –

 o Elevator music –
Science found that piped music actually makes workers happy and thus increases
productivity.

o Incidental music –
Music used in a film or play as a background to create or enhance a particular atmosphere.
This music is used only to create added emotion to what you already see.

o Video Game & blog music –

A soundtrack that accompanies video games. Video game music is much more appealing
and attractive to gamers. Specifically designed to motivate players, it sets the mood and
tone of the game, but unlike other music, it doesn’t distract the players.

o Group fitness music –

Studies in 2017 show that music can increase how long people exercise. It also helps in
bonding and socializing.

All of these have one thing in common – they are all forms of background music. We may
not notice it, but music is a huge component of our daily lives. Nearly everywhere we go has
music or background music.

Music impacts the brains functions by boosting brain chemicals. Listening to music increases
the neurotransmitter dopamine. The interest in the effects of music on the brain has led to a
new branch called neuromusicology – which explores how the nervous system reacts to
music, because surprisingly, music activates every known part of the brain.

Music helps people explore ideas and emotions in a safe way and express themselves
without words. Contact in positive influences through music can help people learn coping
mechanisms and suitable responses to worrying situations. Music also helps people connect
to social groups and gain a sense of belonging.
Factors that affect
behaviour towards
music. –
Studies have shown that
different language,
tempos, tones, and
sound levels of music can
cause different effects
on emotions, mental
activities, and physical
reactions. Overall,
languages and tempos are
the two most
important factors.

Those who feel a

physical reaction
while listening to
music have a
different brain
structure to those
who don’t.

Why is it important to use two different types of music in this experiment?

It is important to use 2 different types of music in this experiment because we have to make
sure the test is completely reliable. For example, if we did hip-hop and rock & roll, the test
wouldn’t be as reliable because they both are very similar.

Other factors in the brain affecting concentration during experiment (other than
background music) –

o Louder noises
o Temperature
o Lack of sleep
o Age
o Mental health conditions
o Eyesight
Does this experiment allow multiple results?

Indeed, it does, it all depends on how long or short the research participants attention,
concentration span is. Although many other factors can affect how good or bad you do this
experiment. So, to conclude this question, yes, this experiment does allow multiple/various
results.

HYPOTHESIS –
Hip-hop music will distract research participants in a negative way and all research
participants will not do as well in the task while listening to the hip-hop music. On the other
hand, by classical music will improve their score. Although their scores will be best without
music.

AIM –
To investigate whether the inclusion of background music affects concentration of the
human brain and if so, is it a negative or positive effect?

Independent variable –

Hip-hop and classical music (background music)

Dependent variable -

The scores (from the game)

Controlled variable –

Time limit
game

- The independent variable is a variable that is changed or

controlled in a scientific experiment. It represents the cause or
reason for an outcome. Independent variables are
the variables that the experimenter changes to test their
dependent variable.

- The dependent variable is what you measure in the experiment

and what is affected during the experiment. It is
called dependent because it "depends" on the
independent variable.

- The controlled variable is what you measure in the experiment

and what is affected during the experiment. It is
called dependent because it "depends" on the independent variable.
Social Cause –
The social cause/benefit of this investigation is that we will be able to figure out if music
actually helps concentration so that we can use this technique and if it doesn’t then we will
try to avoid it.

RISK ASSESSMENT –

Phone battery out Charge phone fully beforehand or

download the app on another person’s
phone.
Phone drops out of hand and cracks Hold phone firmly

Things needed - Materials

Phone (with game app)

Research participants (Father, Mother, older sister)
Stop watch

PROCEDURE – draft - procedure

1. Firstly, take a phone and download the app ‘crossy road’.

2. Secondly, download 2 versions of music give the phone to the research participant and
ask them to play three rounds of this game – one with classical music, one with hip-hop and
one without music.

3. Thirdly, assign each person to do the task. Allow each person the same amount of time to
complete the task. Some people may not be able to finish the entire song, while others may
have to start the song over again to fill in
the remaining time. 

4. Lastly, collect and record the results you gained from all rounds.

12/5/2020 - told three people will not make the experiment

reliable enough. Change it to 7 people.

29th April 2020 – Experiment done on three people (Father, Mother, Older sister)
 12th May 2020 – Experiment made further reliable by experimenting on 4 more people
(friend 1, friend 2, friend 3, friend 4)

All together the results came together as –

Conditions Father Mother Older sister Friend 1 Friend 2 Friend 3 Friend 4

and scores
42 29 38 19 42 36 29
No Music
32 19 24 21 34 37 24
Hip-Hop
36 27 27 24 16 35 21
Classical

REFLECTION –

It was predicted/assumed that Hip-Hop would distract the participants negatively and
classical would help them concentrate but the participants would attain the best score
without music. The first experiment was done on 29th April and the research participants
were my Father, Mother and Older sister. I attained the results and recorded them and
designed my report accordingly. On 12th May 2020 (a week before SRP due date), my
science teacher (Ms. Kaur) informed me that having 3 people do the experiment is not
enough for reliability, later that evening I experimented on 4 of my classmates to make the
total amount of research participants 7 (I couldn’t extend the number of people because
many people weren’t at school because of COVID-19). Fortunately, I was able to take
pictures of the 2nd experiment and 1st experiment (shown in images). I had to design my
report accordingly to the results I attained after my second experiment. A few changes were
made, and I definitely think that making more people participate in this experiment made
this experiment more reliable and I got a better and more accurate result. The hypothesis
stated that ‘Hip-hop music will distract research participants in a negative way and all
research participants will not do as well in the task while listening to the hip-hop music. On
the other hand, by classical music will improve their score. Although their scores will be best
without music’. Majority of people were distracted by the Hip-hop music and majority of
people did do way better while listening to classical music and lastly, the scores show that
majority of people did better than classical and hip-hop in the ‘without background music’
round. 2/7 people didn’t support this hypothesis by doing better in the hip-hop round or not
doing well in the ‘no music category’ but 5/7 did support this hypothesis. In conclusion, the
hypothesis was supported by the majority, and the experiment ran smoothly.
PRIORITY What will I How will I gather How will I gather Why will I
research? information? the information? research this
information?
PRIMARY SECONDARY
SOURCE SOURCE
(Books etc.) (Research etc.)

Which types of I will read Watching I will research

1. music affect the psychology documentaries this information
brain most? related books and reading to help me
and read articles articles on thisknow what I am
on different topic. doing and so I
types of ways to have more
perform this knowledge
experiment about what I
have to do.
What is the I will read I will watch I will research
2. purpose of this articles on similar this to have
experiment? experiments experiments and better
similar to this research my understanding.
one done before research
and evaluate question.
them.

3. Can music I will read I will watch I will research

actually help psychological interviews and about this so
concentration? books that documentaries that I have an
explain what on ‘’does music idea about what
happens to the affect I want to do for
brain when we concentration’’ the experiment.
listen to music. and will then
transition into
background
music.
Which music is I will read more I will watch I will research
4. the best music for music and mind documentaries this to
concentration? related books and interviews understand
and analysis. on the question. more about the
assessment.

INFORMARTION PLANNING TABLE -