How sleep affects GPA - Research Proposal Example

? Research Proposal on how sleep affects GPA Nickie Rodriguez Fordham Method section Survey research methodology was identified as ideal for conducting the study whilst collecting relevant and useful data for analysis, inferences, recommendations, and conclusions. A total of 14 questions were used in conducting the survey to obtain relevant data. In addition, Fordham University was the area under study. Sleep survey was obtained from my relevant notes that address the issue of effects of sleep on GPA (Naik, 2006). The GPA control involved a school that had GPA, which they aimed at preventing over or under reporting or the GPA. In addition, the survey took into account or explored the prevalence of sleep difficulties in a larger sample of college students (Naik, 2006). Notably, all participants were tested under the same conditions. In order to achieve this, a class room setting in which participants were familiar with was used since they were currently attending a class or about to attend a class. The lighting in both setting was florescent bulbs and the rooms were a comfortable temperature. Participants The sample consisted of all undergraduate students currently enrolled at Fordham University. The sample was chosen via convenient sampling. Participants were recruited from the same classes as the researcher (Naik, 2006). A sample size of 50 undergraduate students was picked in order to represent the entire population under study. The ages of the participants ranged from 12 to 18 years (M= 15 years, SD=0.987 years.) of these students, 31 representing 62% were females while 19 representing 38% were males. In terms of ethnic groups, 16% of the participants were African American, 54% Caucasian, 4% Asian Pacific Islander, 20% Latino, while other ethnic groups were represented by the remaining 6%. In terms of grades 14% were freshman, 44% sophomore, 28% junior, and 14% senior category. Materials Demographics On the Demographic Data portion of the survey participants reported data that would aid in controlling for extraneous variables such as age, gender and race (Naik, 2006). Participants also provided information about GPA, class standing, course load, and sleeping habits (See Appendix B.) In addition to these question participants answered several sleep awareness question in order gain knowledge on how much sleep they are currently getting. Sleep survey The sleep survey contained questionnaire with 14 questions that each participant was expected to answer. Participants Completed 14 true/false questions assessing their quality of sleep (Naik, 2006). The questions answered as “true” were worth 5 points and each “false” was worth 0 points. The minimum score of 0 represents a “good” sleeper and the maximum score of 70 represents a “poor” sleeper (Naik, 2006). Procedure Participants were asked if interested in taking the survey approximately 20 min prior to the commencement of normal class. There was no incentive offered to any participants. They were told that their participation was voluntary and that data would be stored separately from the survey to ensure anonymity (Naik, 2006). They were then asked to read and sign the consent forms and to keep the top copy for their own records. Participants were informed of free counseling services available through Fordham University Counseling and Psychological services and were provided with the telephone number that they could call if they experienced any emotional distress during the course of this study. Participants were then asked to fill out the survey and return it when completed. The amount of sleep per person was gather by adding the responses of how much sleep a person get on the weekend and how much sleep a person gets on the weekday (Naik, 2006). These two scores were added and then divided by 7 for the days in the week. In collecting this data, the researched gave a score of 5 for every true response and a 0 score for all the false responses. In addition, the researcher used a minimum of 0 to represent a good sleeper and a maximum score of 70 representing a poor sleeper. It took approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete the survey amongst the participants after undergoing the process of obtaining consent (Naik, 2006). What’s more, the collection of data was done for four days for a total time of 1 hour and 20 minutes. Though there were no incentives in carrying out the survey, it is evident that having been informed on the significance of the study, the participants were able to effectively participate thereby providing a favorable environment for obtaining relevant data for analysis, inferences, conclusions, and making of recommendations with respect to how sleep affect the GPA. Data Analysis Through application of hypothesis, the study aimed at using the collect data to test the hypothesis hence make appropriate discussion, analyses, inferences, conclusions, and recommendations. In this perspective, the hypothesis that the researcher wanted to test was that, “students who had better and larger quantity of sleep will definitely have a good score in GPA given the quality of sleep”. Through application of inferential statistics and to some extent the descriptive statistics, the researcher aimed at testing the hypothesis. Testing of hypothesis employed the use of chi-square and t-test distribution, which proved very effective in testing the hypothesis (Naik, 2006). Having both null and alternative hypotheses helped the researcher to prove whether the conclusions or results attained were credible, valid, and reliable. Validity and reliability of data is very vital while conducting a research. In order for data to be authentic and applicable in various situations, there is need for researchers to ensure that such data are reliable and valid as concerns the instrument of data collection as well as measurements. Data Presentation Data presentation is an important aspect of research that could not be ignored within the study. After analysis, the results were presented in form of tables, graphs, and pie charts. The reason for pictorial presentation was to ensure that the results of the study could be easily interpreted by a common man. Pictorial presentations of information have always proved effective in creating favorable data that every person can make conclusion. It is usually important to have adequate tools and techniques for presenting available results and data. Reference Naik, A. (2006). The effects of sleep on short-term memory and academic performance. Retrieved February from: http://scholarship.utm.edu/524/1/LD_5300_M29GB_211.pdf Read More