There are 2 fully completed research projects to select
from, each with logically attached data in the form of tables,
charts, bar graphs, excel tables, histograms, and
references at the conclusion of the assignment.
1. Full research proposal
STA1507 – Project A (Assignment 4) – Research Proposal
Title: The impact of social media usage on sleep patterns among young adults
Student name: [Your name]
Student number: [Your student number]
Course/module: STA1507 — Introduction to Research Skills
Submission: Project A (Assignment 4) — Research proposal
, 1. Introduction and problem statement
Sleep is essential for cognitive function, memory consolidation, mood regulation, and
overall health. Over the past decade, social media use—particularly on smartphones—
has become a pervasive part of young adults’ daily routines. Exposure to bright screens,
interactive content and emotional stimuli before bedtime may delay sleep onset, reduce
sleep duration, and worsen subjective sleep quality (evening arousal and blue light
effects). While several international studies highlight links between late-night social
media use and poorer sleep outcomes, there is limited empirical data on this
relationship at community level among young South African adults.
Research problem: Excessive use of social media before bedtime may negatively affect
sleep duration and quality among young adults in the local community. Without local
evidence it is difficult for community health educators and student-support services to
design targeted interventions.
Aim of the study: To investigate whether there is an association between the amount
of time young adults (aged 18–30) spend on social media before bedtime and their self-
reported sleep quality.
2. Research question
Primary research question:
Is there an association between the amount of time young adults spend on social media
before bedtime and their reported sleep quality?
Sub-questions:
1. What proportion of young adults use social media within one hour of bedtime?
2. How does average sleep quality vary across categories of pre-bed social media use
(none, low, moderate, high)?
3. What is the typical bedtime (clock time) for respondents and how does it vary with
social media usage?
, 3. Methodology
3.1 Study design
A cross-sectional descriptive study using a self-administered questionnaire distributed
online to young adults (aged 18–30) in the local community.
3.2 Population
Young adults aged 18–30 living in the local community. The target population includes
students, employed and unemployed young adults.
3.3 Sampling method and sample size
A stratified convenience sampling approach will be used to ensure diversity across
age bands and employment/student status. A sample size of 150 respondents is
proposed for the mock project (sufficient for descriptive statistics and clear illustrative
charts).
3.4 Variables and measurement scales
Variable Type Measurement scale Values / categories
Age Quantitative Ratio 18–30 years
Hours on social media before bed Quantitative Ratio 0, 0.5, 1.0, … 6.0 hours
Hours category (derived) Categorical Ordinal .5–1..6–2..6–3..6+
Bedtime (clock hour) Quantitative Interval 21.00–02.00 (converted to 24h decimal)
Sleep quality (self-reported) Categorical Ordinal Poor / Fair / Good / Excellent
3.5 Questionnaire (appendix) — short version (for distribution)
Section A – Demographics
1. Age: _______ years
from, each with logically attached data in the form of tables,
charts, bar graphs, excel tables, histograms, and
references at the conclusion of the assignment.
1. Full research proposal
STA1507 – Project A (Assignment 4) – Research Proposal
Title: The impact of social media usage on sleep patterns among young adults
Student name: [Your name]
Student number: [Your student number]
Course/module: STA1507 — Introduction to Research Skills
Submission: Project A (Assignment 4) — Research proposal
, 1. Introduction and problem statement
Sleep is essential for cognitive function, memory consolidation, mood regulation, and
overall health. Over the past decade, social media use—particularly on smartphones—
has become a pervasive part of young adults’ daily routines. Exposure to bright screens,
interactive content and emotional stimuli before bedtime may delay sleep onset, reduce
sleep duration, and worsen subjective sleep quality (evening arousal and blue light
effects). While several international studies highlight links between late-night social
media use and poorer sleep outcomes, there is limited empirical data on this
relationship at community level among young South African adults.
Research problem: Excessive use of social media before bedtime may negatively affect
sleep duration and quality among young adults in the local community. Without local
evidence it is difficult for community health educators and student-support services to
design targeted interventions.
Aim of the study: To investigate whether there is an association between the amount
of time young adults (aged 18–30) spend on social media before bedtime and their self-
reported sleep quality.
2. Research question
Primary research question:
Is there an association between the amount of time young adults spend on social media
before bedtime and their reported sleep quality?
Sub-questions:
1. What proportion of young adults use social media within one hour of bedtime?
2. How does average sleep quality vary across categories of pre-bed social media use
(none, low, moderate, high)?
3. What is the typical bedtime (clock time) for respondents and how does it vary with
social media usage?
, 3. Methodology
3.1 Study design
A cross-sectional descriptive study using a self-administered questionnaire distributed
online to young adults (aged 18–30) in the local community.
3.2 Population
Young adults aged 18–30 living in the local community. The target population includes
students, employed and unemployed young adults.
3.3 Sampling method and sample size
A stratified convenience sampling approach will be used to ensure diversity across
age bands and employment/student status. A sample size of 150 respondents is
proposed for the mock project (sufficient for descriptive statistics and clear illustrative
charts).
3.4 Variables and measurement scales
Variable Type Measurement scale Values / categories
Age Quantitative Ratio 18–30 years
Hours on social media before bed Quantitative Ratio 0, 0.5, 1.0, … 6.0 hours
Hours category (derived) Categorical Ordinal .5–1..6–2..6–3..6+
Bedtime (clock hour) Quantitative Interval 21.00–02.00 (converted to 24h decimal)
Sleep quality (self-reported) Categorical Ordinal Poor / Fair / Good / Excellent
3.5 Questionnaire (appendix) — short version (for distribution)
Section A – Demographics
1. Age: _______ years
