Analysis GRADISAR article - Assignment Example

Analysis of GRADISAR article Qualitative analysis Reference Gradisar, M., Terrill, G., Johnston, A. and Douglas, P. (2008). Adolescent sleep and working memory performance. Sleep and Biological Rhythms (2008.6): 146-154. Background of the problemPrevious studies show that students suffer from lack of sleep because of their schedules and independent sleep problems. Curcio, et al, subject to the article’s literature review, explains that lack of sleep has further been associated with adverse effects of academic potentials among teenagers with indicators such as “poor school performance, lower grades, lower grade point averages,” and lateness to school (Gradisar, Terrill, Johnston, and Douglas, 208, p. 146). There is however lack of consistency on findings regarding association between sleep disturbance and memory among the adolescents.

RationaleDifferent opinions exist on association between sleep problem and students’ working memory performance and this formed the study’s rationale (Gradisar, et al, 2008). Purpose of the studyThe study aimed at ascertaining association between lack of sleep among adolescents and the youths’ working memory potentials (Gradisar, et al, 2008). Past studies Past studies identify sleep problems with tight schedules that forces adolescents to sleep late and inability to sleep. Excessive sleep over the weekends, with the aim of recovering lost sleep also affect sleep during weekdays.

Factor to working memories, as established from previous studies, are “poor school performance, lower grades, lower point averages, arriving to class late and poor school attendance” (Gradisar, et al, 2008, p. 146). ParticipantsThe study used 143 participants from ten academic institutions. The participants’ ethnicities and gender were diverse and random. Sixty-two of the participants were boys while 81 were girls. They ranged from 13 years to 18 years with a mean age of 14.9 years (Gradisar, et al, 2008).

Research questionsThe authors did not state their research questions but this can be inferred from the title as, ‘is there an association between sleep problems and working memory potentials among adolescents?’ (Gradisar, et al, 2008).Qualitative methodsPhenomenology, a design that relies on experience as data source, was used in implementing the study.Data collection methodsA mixture of tests, observation, and questionnaires were used to collect data. These are predetermined prompts for participants’ responses.

Results/findingsThe study identified association between insufficient sleep and poor performance and between lack of enough sleep and sleeping late and dizziness during the day (Gradisar, et al, 2008). ImplicationsThe results offer ground for modulating the education system to allow for sufficient sleep for adolescents (Gradisar, et al, 2008). Quantitative analysisReference Gradisar, M., Terrill, G., Johnston, A. and Douglas, P. (2008). Adolescent sleep and working memory performance. Sleep and Biological Rhythms (2008.6): 146-154.

Background of the problemDifferent claims exist on the relationship between sleep disturbance and adolescents working memory performance. Some studies identify significant relationships while others do not (Gradisar, et al, 2008). RationaleExistence of different perspectives on a relationship between sleep problems among adolescents and their working memory potentials establishes need for the study in order to ascertain existence of a relationship (Gradisar, et al, 2008). Purpose The study’s purpose was to examine possible relationship between lack of sleep and working memory potential among adolescents (Gradisar, et al, 2008).

Past studiesPast studies do not identify quantitative factors to either sleep problem or working memory performance (Gradisar, et al, 2008). ParticipantsStudents within the age bracket of between 13 and 18 years formed the study’s participants. 143 students, 62 boys, and 81 girls participated but their ethnic backgrounds were not disclosed (Gradisar, et al, 2008). Quantitative methodsSurvey technique was used in the study questionnaire was used for the independent variable, sleep measure. Questions are however not specified.

Questionnaire was also used for the dependent variables and though questions are not specified, responses were on a scale of 0 to three. Applied tool, questionnaires establishes the method’s reliability (Gradisar, et al, 2008). TreatmentThere was no treatment in the study. Results identified a significant relationship between level of sleep and performance and between insufficient sleep and both sleep during the day and time taken to sleep (Gradisar, et al, 2008). ImplicationsThe quantitative findings mean that sufficient sleep is necessary for adolescents’ optimal working memory potential (Gradisar, et al, 2008).

ReferenceGradisar, M., Terrill, G., Johnston, A. and Douglas, P. (2008). Adolescent sleep and working memory performance. Sleep and Biological Rhythms (2008.6): 146-154.