ABSTRACT
It’s easy to find various brands, sizes, and types (e.g., virgin or recycled, rough-edged or smooth) of paper clips. These can be tested for strength in a simple comparative experiment, such as those illustrated in Chapter 2. (You also might find this to be a good way to relieve stress.) The procedure shown below specifies big versus little paper clips. It’s intended for a group of people, with each individual doing the test. The person-to-person variation should be treated as blocks and removed from the analysis. The procedure is as follows:
Randomly select one big and one regular-sized paper clip. Flip a coin to randomly choose the first clip to break: heads = big, tails = standard size.
Gently pull each clip apart with the big loop on the right. Use the drawing in Figure 12.1 as a template. The angle affects performance, so be precise.
As pictured in Figure 12.1, move the smaller loop of the clip to the edge of your desk. The bigger loop should now project beyond the edge.
Hold the small loop down firmly with your left thumb. Grasp the big loop between right thumb and forefinger. Bend the big loop straight up and back. Continue bending the big loop back and forth until it breaks. Record the count for each clip. (Each back and forth movement counts as two bends.)
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