On How sleep effects GPA - Research Proposal Example

Research Proposal on how sleep affects GPA Introduction Research has shown that poor sleeping habits normally have adverse effects on students’ GPA (Hicks, Fernandez, & Pellegrini, 2001, p. 660.). 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 p. 660.).

Therefore there is a need to conduct a deep investigation in universities in order to establish the relationship between amount of sleep, sleeping habits and the GPA. Research background 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, 2001 p. 660.). 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 p. 660.). 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 need to be completed within five 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 randomly 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: Q.1. Is there any relationship between GPA and the hours of sleep a student gets? (a). 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) Q.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. (a).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. Q.3.

What is the relationship between sleep habits, amount of sleep and GPA? (a).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. Measures Measures that will be used in the study will be derived from the survey questions. 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. Reference 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), p. 660.