Abstract
Evidence suggests extensive screen time prior to sleeping is linked to poor academic achievement in university students. This study investigates whether smartphone screen time in the hour before sleep is associated with sleep quality and subsequent grade point average (GPA).
Methods: We collected self-report survey data from a registry of 8,500 first-year undergraduate students (aged 18–19) at a single highly selective university in the South of England. Correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between pre-sleep screen time, sleep duration, and GPA.
Findings: High pre-sleep screen time was strongly correlated with shorter sleep duration and lower subjective sleep quality, which in turn were statistically significantly associated with lower end-of-year GPAs. The correlation was more pronounced among students living in on-campus halls compared to those commuting.
Interpretation: The results indicate a critical window before sleep where smartphone restriction could improve academic performance. These findings could be highly beneficial for shaping university student wellness programmes and residential hall policies.
Using Item A, outline one weakness of the sample used in this study.
201 exam-style questions on OCR A Level Psychology Planning and conducting research. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.