charts, bar graphs excel tables, histogram, all attached logically,
and references at the end of the assignment research
STA1507 – Project A (Assignment 4) – Research Proposal
,Title: The effect of study habits on academic performance among UNISA students
1. Introduction and Problem Statement
The ability to manage study time effectively is a critical factor in academic success,
especially in an open distance e-learning (ODeL) environment such as the University of
South Africa (UNISA). Unlike traditional contact universities, where students have
scheduled classes and in-person lectures, UNISA students are responsible for structuring
their own study schedules, accessing learning materials independently, and preparing
for assessments without face-to-face guidance.
Many students balance their studies with work, family, and social commitments. This
flexibility is an advantage, but it also creates challenges in maintaining disciplined study
habits. Ineffective time management and poor study strategies are common problems
reported by distance-learning students, which can contribute to lower academic
performance.
While research has explored the relationship between study habits and academic
outcomes in contact universities, there is limited empirical evidence for UNISA’s unique
learning environment. Understanding this relationship is important because it could
guide interventions such as study skills workshops, improved online learning tools, and
targeted academic advising.
Research Problem: There is insufficient evidence about how study hours and preferred
study methods affect academic performance among UNISA undergraduate students.
This knowledge gap makes it difficult to develop strategies to improve students’
academic outcomes.
, 2. Research Question
Primary Research Question:
What is the relationship between the number of study hours UNISA undergraduate
students commit per week and their self-reported academic performance?
Sub-questions:
1. What study methods are most commonly used by UNISA undergraduate students?
2. How do average study hours differ between low-performing and high-performing
students?
3. Which study method is associated with the highest self-reported academic
performance?
3. Methodology
3.1 Population
The population consists of all registered UNISA undergraduate students in 2025 across
different colleges, including the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET),
College of Law (CLAW), and College of Education (COE).
3.2 Sampling Method
A stratified random sampling method will be used to ensure proportional
representation from each college. For example, if CSET makes up 40% of the total UNISA