I would inform the volunteers about the study and about the risks and incentives involved in participating in this research project. Complimentary chocolate bars would most likely be the incentive. The prospective participants would also be given a detailed description of what would be expected of them if they chose to participate.
I would ask interested participants to meet at the time when I would be administering the test. (Using this method I will run into the "self-selection problem," because the participants will be given the choice to participate or not. Those that choose to participate could provide biased data.).
The study sample may not be considered completely representative of the original population of interest because most 3rd, 4th, or 5th year college students have already completed their core course requirements and will not be included in this study. .
Materials.
The main materials necessary for this project besides participants are commercial chocolate and a sufficient method for psychological assessment of short-term memory. The participants in the experimental group would be required to fully consume the chocolate. I would measure the affects that the consumption of chocolate may have on short-term memory by comparing a control group ( group that does not receive chocolate before taking the test) and the experimental group (group that receives chocolate before the test is given). I would measure memory of the participants by administering a "short term memory test." This test would be a test in which the participant would be given a piece of paper with several figure arrangements on it. They would be given a certain amount of time to memorize the figure arrangements. Then, the participants would be given a time frame to replicate what they saw. The control group would not be given chocolate before the test; the experimental group would be given chocolate and then asked to take the test.