Strengths: Having a bigger sample size typically boosts the validity and precision of the obtained data, ultimately increasing the credibility of the study conducted.

Limitations: Limiting the sample size to psychology students does not effectively capture the broader population.

Representativeness: A larger sample size can better represent the population and include a variety of students, making the findings more applicable to a wider group. The data collated will be representative of the students who underwent the invetsigation.

Factors impacting this study: Whilst conducting the study in a classroom setting, several factors may affect the outcome of the results. Including the participants’ mood prior to commencing the study; stress levels will cause fluctuations in the observed heart rates. Given the classroom environment, participants will be exposed to a diverse array of environmental stimuli, which could further potentially disrupt their focus and alter their heart rates.

Stregths: Experimental designs usually use quantitative measurements for precise data, like accurately recording heart rates with specialised equipment. To minimize order-related biases, counterbalancing methods can be applied by changing the order in which participants experience different music types when testing.

Weaknesses: It can be challenging to control for all potential confounding variables that might affect heart rate, such as participants' mood, prior experiences, or activity level.

Strengths: Observational studies can capture a wide range of data, such as heart rate patterns during different types of music, individual differences in responses, and contextual factors (location, activity) that may influence the effect of music.

Weaknesses: Observational studies typically lack experimental control. In this case, researchers cannot control variables like the type of music, volume, or tempo, which may all influence heart rates. This lack of control can make it challenging to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between music and heart rates.

Strengths: Qualitative research allows for a deeper exploration of the subjective experiences and emotions associated with music-induced changes in heart rate. Participants can describe their feelings, thoughts, and physiological sensations in verbally.

Weaknesses: Qualitative research can provide insights into relationships and associations, through it may be difficult to determine whether changes in heart rate are solely due to music or influenced by other factors.

Impact on data: Every individual has a personalised music preference; these individuals may not like the chosen music genres causing fluctuations in the heart rate. Everyone has a unique baseline heart rate, and varying music genres will evoke distinct emotions. The participant’s mood prior to the test will also have an effect on the outcome of the results.

Advantages: Collating both qualitative and quantitative data will result in more precise data intrepretation and accuracy. The study can also enhance the generalisability of findings to the broader population.

Disadvanatges: It will be challenging to control the extraneous variables that come into play during the study, which could affect the heart rate and mood, further affecting the internal validity of the findings.

Participant variables: Participants' mood prior to commencing the study will affect their heart rate, specifically if they are experiencing internal turmoil, this will make it harder to increase their heart rate. Their music preferences also feed into this; if they do not like the given genres their heart rate is more likely to stay constant with minimal fluctuations.

Situational variables: There will be a variety in the brands of earphones used during the study, this will affect the outcome of the quality of the audio, further affecting heart rate. The audio volume is not fixed, again affecting heart rates, as higher volume and better quality correlate to higher heart rates and vice versa. External noise and seating arrangements may also contribute to this.

Constant variables: All participants will listen to the same audios and the method of testing will remain the same.

Consent & wilingness in participating: Consent forms outlining the experiment's procedures were distributed to the students to ensure the participants were willing and comfortable in part-taking the study.

Epperson, Gordon. “Music.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2023, www.britannica.com/art/music. Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.

Cherry, Kendra. “Emotions and Types of Emotional Responses.” Verywell Mind, Verywellmind, 25 Feb. 2022, www.verywellmind.com/what-are-emotions-2795178. Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.

Fink, Jennifer. “Why — and How — Music Moves Us | Pfizer.” Www.pfizer.com, www.pfizer.com/news/articles/why_and_how_music_moves_us#:~:text=Music%20and%20Mood&text=The%20limbic%20system%2C%20which%20is. Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.

Confidentiality: Each participant wrote down their ID numbers, this way their identities were kept hidden. This was done so incase the indivudals didn't want their results to be known and we're more comfortable part-taking in the assesment.

Right to withdrawl: If the individual did not feel comfortable at any point during the study, they had the right to withdrawal. This could be done so by simply informing the conductor.

Debriefing: Debriefing aid in mimimising potentital distress that the participant may experience when involving in the study, this way participants will be fully aware of the purpose of the study and the conductor will have their informed consent.