Motivated by Morris and Hamilton's (1986) study on visual acuity and reaction time of navy fighter pilots, an aviation student researcher compared GA pilots' simple visual reaction times to that of the general population. Visual reaction time was measured by having participants press a joystick immediately at the appearance of a suprathreshold spot target and was measured in milliseconds. (Note: 1000 milliseconds is equal to 1 second.) The reaction times are considered "simple" because participants did not have to make any decisions regarding if or when to press the joystick. Based on a literature review, the researcher concluded that simple visual reaction times of the general population average 220 milliseconds. Although she believed that pilots should have faster reaction times (i.e., less than 220 msec) than the general public, the related literature had mixed results and therefore she was uncertain whether pilots' reaction times would be slower or faster than the general public.

Specify the research question and corresponding operational definitions as well as the research hypothesis.

Determine the appropriate research methodology/design and explain why it is appropriate.