Research Plan Template

Name(s): Jed Fox, Jack Nooney

Research Plan (to Accompany Form 1A)
A) Rationale
Include a brief synopsis of the background that supports your research problem and explain why this research is
important and if applicable, explain any societal impact of your research.
There are millions of people in the world that have problems sleeping. We set out to solve some of said problems.
Through our research we discovered that we could help obstructive sleep apnea, intraocular pressure, vertigo, blood
flow and ankylosing spondylitis
B) Research Question(s), Hypothesis(es), Engineering Goal(s), Expected
Outcomes.
How is this based on the rationale described above?
Research Question(s): How can people with sleep disorders lessen their side effects and get more comfortable sleep.
Hypothesis(es): If we can create an adaptable pillow, then we can create more comfortable sleep and better the
quality of life in people with sleeping disorders
Engineering Goal(s): Design a pillow that can increase and decrease head elevation as well as maintain a comfortable
sleeping environment.
Expected Outcomes: Using an adaptive pillow for head elevation we can help make life with sleeping disorders more
manageable.
Procedure(s)
Detail all procedures and experimental design including methods for data collection. Describe only your project. Do
not include work done by mentor or others.
Materials list
 Pillow
 Audew 12V Portable Mini Air Compressor Pump with Gauge from Amazon
 Vestil BAG-4836 2-Ply Plastic Reusable Dunnage Bag, 36" x 48" from amazon
 Male White Color Manikin Head Model Wig Glasses Stand Styrofoam Foam Mannequin Hat
Display Stand from amazon
 AC to DC Converter Quentacy 110V-220V to 12V 8A Cigarette Lighter Outlet Socket Wall
Plug 96W Power Charger from amazon
 iPhone

1. Get a standard pillow of choice from any department store.

2. Get air compressor
3. Get airbag
4. Insert airbag into the pillow so that it is below the cushion of the pillow
5. Connect the air compressor to the airbag.
6. Connect the adapter to the air compressor and plug into wall.
7. Place the head down flat on the pillow
8. Place iPhone on the forehead of the head using the level tool located in the measure app
9. With the head on the pillow with zero inflation read the angle given by the phones reading
10. Use this as the base head angle
11. Read the PSI of the pillow using the gauge on the air compressor
12. Fill the air bag until the gauge reads .5 PSI
13. Measure head angle by reading the measure given on the iPhone
14. Repeat steps 6-10 with 1, 1.5,2,2.5, and 3 PSI
15. Measure head angle
 Research Plan Template

Name(s): Jed Fox, Jack Nooney

Risk and Safety

Identify any potential risks and safety precautions needed.
Electrical hazard, Fire hazard.
Data Analysis
Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results.
We will determine the different head angles achieved by setting the pillow to different PSIs and then determine
whether the change in head angle meets expectations.
IF Applicable
Below are subject-specific guidelines for additional items to be included in your
research plan/project summary as applicable.
Human participants research:
a. Participants: Describe age range, gender, racial/ethnic composition of participants. Identify vulnerable populations
(minors, pregnant women, prisoners, mentally disabled or economically disadvantaged).
b. Recruitment: Where will you find your participants? How will they be invited to participate?
c. Methods: What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys, questionnaires or tests? What is the
frequency and length of time involved for each subject?
d. Risk Assessment: What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological, time involved, social, legal,
etc.) to participants? How will you minimize risks? List any benefits to society or participants.
e. Protection of Privacy: Will identifiable information (e.g., names, telephone numbers, birth dates, email addresses)
be collected? Will data be confidential/anonymous? If anonymous, describe how the data will be collected. If not
anonymous, what procedures are in place for safeguarding confidentiality? Where will data be stored? Who will have
access to the data? What will you do with the data after the study?
f. Informed Consent Process: Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the study, what they
will be asked to do, that their participation is voluntary and they have the right to stop at any time.

Vertebrate animal research:

a. Discuss potential ALTERNATIVES to vertebrate animal use and present justification for use of vertebrates.
b. Explain potential impact or contribution of this research.
c. Detail all procedures to be used, including methods used to minimize potential discomfort, distress, pain and injury
to the animals and detailed chemical concentrations and drug dosages.
d. Detail animal numbers, species, strain, sex, age, source, etc., include justification of the numbers planned.
e. Describe housing and oversight of daily care
f. Discuss disposition of the animals at the termination of the study.
Potentially hazardous biological agents research:
 Research Plan Template

Name(s): Jed Fox, Jack Nooney

a. Give source of the organism and describe BSL assessment process and BSL determination.
b. Detail safety precautions and discuss methods of disposal.

Hazardous chemicals, activities & devices:

• Describe Risk Assessment process, supervision, safety precautions and methods of disposal.
Electrical hazard, Fire hazard.