Effects of Sleep on GPA - Research Proposal Example

? Effects of Sleep on GPA Nickie Rodriguez Effects of Sleep on GPA Introduction Research has shown that poor sleeping habits normally have adverse effects on students’ GPA (Hicks, Fernandez, & Pellegrini, 2001). Moreover, this also results in an enormous amount of stress especially among college and university students. It is imperative to note that college and university students are known to have terrible sleeping habits. Consequently, this results in physiological maladjustments such as sleeping in class, oversleeping, and poor alertness coupled with low memory (Hicks, Fernandez, & Pellegrini, 2001). Present research on the other hand holds that unsatisfactory sleep contributes significantly to its preceding activities. This is not only on an adult's work presentation, but also on how sound students perform at school. Young students who suffer sleep interruptions are likely to receive awful grades (Weisler, 2012). Current research on sleep deprivation among students proves that students with inferior grade point average (GPA) are likely to experience restlessness and difficulties in concentrating during the day. Therefore, this manuscript has annotated several articles that address the effects of sleep deprivation on a student’s GPA. They are empirical, as well as theoretical papers. Besides, the document has annotated book chapters. Several studies on the subject of sleep have revealed that lack of adequate sleep normally leads to a multiplicity of health problems. In particular, the lack of adequate sleep actually leads to a drop in the quantity of white blood cells in a person’s body. This consequently leads to a decline in the body’s immune system (Foltz, 2006). Whereas sleep facilitates in restoration of the body’s immune system, the role played by sleep concerning academic proficiencies is a subject that has attracted increased interest in the scholarly field. According to (Barnes, 2009), sleep is obligatory for survival, and the development of the human brain as well as optimal mental processing. In exploring the effect of sleep on the human brain, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) alleges that the lack of adequate sleep initiates the lack of capacity to concentrate, damaged memory as well as physical performance ability (Brown, 2006). This paper posits to provide a platform for further research concerning the effects of sleep on GPA. This research proposal is motivated by the evident predicament of sleep disorders observed in college students, and the resultant effects this has on the students’ academic performance. As a result of the rigorous schedules, these college students are liable to experience upset sleep patterns and to regard them as regular. This paper will draw from an anthology of articles and studies on the feasible relationship between GPA and sleep, and the prevalence of sleep disorders in college students. Background of the Study The most essential contribution established by previous research was the effects of sleep on students’ GPA. The study took into consideration previous researches that were done in regard to the effects of sleep on college students. Kelly and Clanton (2009) were able to categorize sleepers in three groups. The first group was composed of short sleepers. These were students who, when setting their individual schedules, slept for six or less hours. The second group was composed of average sleepers. These were students who slept for approximately seven to eight hours. Lastly, the third group comprised of the long sleepers. These were students who slept for approximately nine hours or more out of twenty-four hours. The study revealed that students who were considered as being long sleepers depicted higher GPAs. However, this study failed to take into consideration that some precedent research on sleep implied that students who sleep for fewer hours per night might have psychological maladjustments. Sleeping for shorter periods of time has implied additional factors such as stress and anxiety, which are also connected with academic performance. These factors also cause shortened spans of alertness and attention and increase the possibilities of errors in tests. Trockel and Egget, (2010) took into account the correlation between long hours of sleep and considering the amount of sleep that a student gets over the weekends in comparison with during the weekdays. The study also takes into consideration the average time that a student wakes up in the morning over the week, in comparison with the time that a student wakes up over the weekends. The study found that some variables like late weekend wake-up hours and late weekday waking hours were linked with lower GPAs. The study appears to improve on previous research, by asking several questions particularly related to the time that the student obtains sleep and the time that the student wakes up in the morning. Another health-connected factor that may influence the student’s GPA is shown as class attendance. Class attendance in itself may be associated to stress factors such as insufficient sleep or illness. Having to attend classes at seven o’clock in the morning may pose a big problem for students suffering from sleep deprivation. This is particularly for the students who go to classes in the day and subsequently work during the night. According to Pilcher, (2006), it is critical to incorporate the topic of sleep deprivation in investigating the effect of sleeping habits on academic performance. Sleep deprivation is found to affect emotional stability as well as motor and cognitive processes. Considering that sleep affects the cognitive functioning, quantity of sleep ought to be a key concern concerning college students, for whom their priority is academic performance. The authors of this article conducted a meta-analysis on the accessible studies that deal with sleep deprivation and its effect on a variety of day functions. The authors describe partial sleep deprivation as obtaining fewer than 5 hours of sleep per night. They define short-term full sleep deprivation as a duration sleeplessness lasting fewer than or equivalent to 45 hours. The authors define long-term full sleep deprivation as duration of sleeplessness lasting for more than 45 hours. According to this article, partial sleep deprivation is associated with decline in cognitive functioning, whereas long-term sleep deprivation is connected with mood disorders. Buboltz, (2005) on the other hand investigated whether sleep hours, study hours, amount of class hours, and the student’s stress level would bear any correlation with regard to their GPA. The authors posited to investigate whether lack of sleeping hours or excessive stress affects a student’s GPA. The study utilized a random sampling technique from an assortment of students from Georgia College. The questions utilized were as follows: 1. What is your present overall GPA? 2. For how many hours do you study every week? 3. How many class hours do you take every week? 4. For how many hours do you obtain sleep every night? 5. In your opinion, how stressed do you think you are? a) Not stressed. b) Stressed to some extent. c) Very stressed According to the study, there was no relationship with any of the data. From the data composed, it was evident that sleep hours and study time, bear no significance to a student’s GPA. Furthermore, neither stress level nor class hours’ influence a student’s GPA. The findings of this study are regarded as inconsistent to the expectations and findings of comparable studies. According to the articles presented in this paper, it is found that there are several students who suffered from sleep deprivation but still attained high GPAs. However, the studies concur that quantity of sleep and academic performance are correlated. Some studies have shown that partial sleep deprivation, as well as the average quantity of sleep acquired in a night, was linked to GPA results. However, this paper cannot conclude from the articles presented that more sleep leads to better GPA grades, although it is evident that quantity of sleep and academic accomplishment are positively interrelated. Statement of the Problem Certainly, there is an assumption that the level of sleep influences the grade point average (GPA) of a student. For instance, those who sleep for long are assumed to have high GPA as opposed those who do not get enough sleep (Hicks, Fernandez, & Pellegrini). It has been suggested that students who have regular sleeping habits have little stress and hence their academic performance is very remarkable. However, this debate calls for an exclusive analysis to verify the truth of the matter. Several aspects should be considered including age, gender and time of sleep. For instance, sleeping habits should be studies on the basis of gender, age and time allocated for sleep (Hicks, Fernandez, & Pellegrini, 2001). Notably, both gender and age have been claimed to affect sleeping habits. It is on this ground that this research project intends to explore the effect of sleep on the GPA. Research Variables (a) Grade point Average (GPA): this is an ordinal scale that is used to measure the performance of a learner in academics. The scale is used to determine the learner’s entry behavior, class rank and entrance to graduate academic level. Synonym- Academic performance (b) Sleep- it is a physiological and a normal state of reduced or absent consciousness. (c) Class year- this involves a classification of class in correspondence to the year of study. (d) Sleeping habits- this can be defined as sleep related behaviors or norms that are regularly exercised by an individual. Synonym- sleeping behavior Research objectives The purpose of this research is to obtain a clear and reliable data that will help in understanding how sleeping habits affect the GPA of a student. In this case, one of the major objectives is to identify whether there is a relationship between the amount of sleep and the GPA. In addition to this, this project intends to find out whether there is a relationship between the amount of sleep and the GPA per class. In this case, the study will embark on examining the juniors, seniors, freshmen and sophomores. Finally, the study aims at establishing whether there is a relationship between the amount of sleep, sleeping habits and the GPA. Research methods/Methodology In this research, a survey will be used to obtain data. Notably, the survey contains a total of 35 multiple choice questions that will to be completed within five to ten minutes. Therefore, survey questionnaires will be issued to students at the University to fill out. Moreover, the survey will be conducted among student population at Fordham University. Needless to say, target group will be picked from within the student population at the University. Research questions There are three research questions that will be used as a guide in order to meet the research objectives as planned. These questions include: 1. Is there any relationship between GPA and the hours of sleep a student gets? Hypothesis – There is a relationship between the level of sleep and GPA (i.e., too much sleep low GPA/ Too little sleep low GPA/ between 7and 9 hrs sleep better GPA 3.00 or better) 2. What is the relationship between the amount of sleep and the GPA per class year? That is, finding out from the research the relationship between the amount of sleep for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors and their respective GPA. Hypothesis – Juniors may have better sleep habits as well as get better sleep and may have a decent GPA due to being accustomed to college life and having a normalized routine. Freshmen are still adjusting and may feel stressed in their new environment and seniors may be stressed and may overload their schedules in a rush to graduate, find jobs and/or get into a graduate school. 3. What is the relationship between sleep habits, amount of sleep and GPA? Hypothesis- The healthier one’s habits are the more likely they are to get the required amount of sleep and may therefore have better GPA scores. Significance of the research topic This research is relevant since it will provide one with information on how sleeping habits and amount of sleep affect the GPA of students. For instance, it is anticipated that the research outcomes will help the university administrators and students with ways to monitor their sleeping habits. In this case, this should ultimately improve their overall academic performance. Research limitation It is anticipated that there will be several limitations especially on matters related to time. Nonetheless, a time outline will be made in order to achieve stipulated activities in due time. Furthermore, some of the respondents might be dishonest and thus likely to provide biased information and untrue answers. However, this can be mitigated, if not solved entirely, by ensuring that respondents’ information will not be revealed in order to assure confidentiality. Lastly, certain respondents might not be available and therefore one is likely to reach out to those who will be available through convenient sampling. Previous Studies The present study aims at obtaining a clear and reliable data that will help in understanding how sleeping habits affect the GPA of a student. Through survey research methodology, this paper aims at answering the above mentioned research question using data from undergraduate students, who are currently enrolled at Fordham University. A sample of 50 undergraduate students will be used to represent this population. From the data, the research aims at establishing the relationship between the amount of sleep and the GPA. In addition, such data will be used in identifying the relationship existing between amount of sleep and the GPA per class other than the entire school. This will be accomplished through finding the answers to the following research questions: 1. Is there any relationship between GPA and the hours of sleep a student gets? This question hypothesized that there is a relationship between the level of sleep and GPA (i.e., too much sleep low GPA/ Too little sleep low GPA/ between 7and 9 hrs sleep better GPA 3.00 or better) 2. What is the relationship between the amount of sleep and the GPA per class year? That is, finding out from the research the relationship between the amount of sleep for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors and their respective GPA. Answering this question will hypothesize that juniors may have better sleep habits as well as get better sleep and may have a decent GPA due to being accustomed to college life and having a normalized routine. Freshmen are still adjusting and may feel stressed in their new environment and seniors may be stressed and may overload their schedules in a rush to graduate, find jobs and/or get into a graduate school. 3. What is the relationship between sleep habits, amount of sleep and GPA? In this question, the research hypothesized that the healthier one’s habits are the more likely they are to get the required amount of sleep and may therefore have better GPA scores. Reference Barnes, D. (2009). The Result of Exercise-Induced Physiological Stimulation on Working Memory. Dissertation Abstracts International. The Sciences & Engineering, 51, 135. Brown C. (2006). Development & Assessment of the Sleep Treatment & Education Program for College Students. Journal of American College Health, 4(4); 23. Buboltz, B. (2005). Sleep Habits & Patterns of College Students: A prelude study. Journal of American College Health, 20; 131-135. Foltz, J. (2006). Evaluation of the Factors Influencing Class Attendance & Performance. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 25; 99. Hicks, R., Fernandez, C. & Pellegrini, R. (2001). Striking changes in the sleep satisfaction of university students over the last two decades. Perceptual and Motor Skills 93(3); 660. Kelly, W. & Clanton, C. (2009). Relationship between GPA and Sleep Length among College Students. College Student Journal, 21, 84-88. Pilcher, J. (2006). Effects of Sleep Deprivation on GPA: A Meta-Analysis. Sleep, 19; 318-320. Trockel, M. & Egget, L. (2010). Health-Related Variables & GPA among First-Year College Students: Sleep and related Behaviors. Journal of American College Health, 12; 125. Weisler, A. (2012). Study:Sleep habits affect sudent GPA. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2007/11/02/study_sleep_habits_affect_stud.aspx Read More