23 Dec Week 3 Assignment – The Foundation of Data-Driven Decisions

Scenario: You would like to determine whether eating before bed influences sleep patterns.

Remember that the steps 7 steps of a statistical study are:

1. Formulate the purpose of the study.

2. Identify the variables for the study.

3. Define the population.

4. Decide what sampling method you will use to collect the data.

5. Collect the data.

6. Summarize the data and perform any statistical calculations needed.

7. Interpret the results (Week 2 Learn, 1).

Explain what you would do to complete each step of a study where you would like to determine whether eating before bed influences sleep patterns. What would you need to do and what would you need to consider to complete each step?

Step 1

The purpose of this study would be to find out whether eating before going to sleep has any impact on a person’s sleep patterns. The research is aimed at determining if having meals late at night might lead to improved or disrupted sleep, or might not affect at all.

Step 2

The variables in this study would include what a person eats before bed, how much they eat, and how much time passes between eating and going to sleep. These would mostly be continuous variables since they involve amounts and time.

Step 3

The population for this study would be based on convenience. I would collect information from people who are easily available to me, such as family members, friends, or neighbors, because they are simple to reach.

Step 4

I would use convenience sampling. This method works well for this study because the people I would ask are already nearby and easy to schedule. It makes the data collection quicker and simpler.

Step 5

I would collect data by interviewing individuals about their eating habits during the night and the impact of these habits on their sleep. I would inquire about the time of their last meal in relation to going to sleep and if they believe that the night eating has an effect on their sleep quality.

Step 6

After collecting the responses, I would summarize the results by finding averages and looking for patterns. This would help me see whether there is a connection between eating before bed and how well someone sleeps.

Step 7

From the results, I would be able to make a conclusion about whether eating before bedtime influences a person’s sleep patterns.

Then, answer the questions below.

What is your hypothesis?

My hypothesis is that eating soon to bedtime affects sleep patterns. It is my opinion that having food too soon before going to bed may be a factor in the time it takes to fall asleep and the quality of sleep.

How would the results of the data influence decisions you might make about eating and sleeping?

I would use the results to decide whether it is better to eat earlier or closer to bedtime. If the information indicates that eating late at night negatively impacts sleep, I would not eat just before going to sleep.

How would we know if the results of the study are valid and reliable?

A larger sample size and better sampling methods (like random sampling) help make the results more accurate. If the study is done carefully and produces consistent results, then the findings would be more reliable.

What questions would you ask to find out more about the quality of the data?

I would ask questions like what type of food the person ate, whether it was heavy or light, and if anything, else might have affected their sleep.

Why is it important to gather and report valid and reliable data?

Using inaccurate or unreliable data can lead to wrong conclusions. If the information is not dependable, the study results won’t help anyone and could even spread misinformation. Having valid and trustworthy data ensures the findings are useful and meaningful.