PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

CONCEPTPAPER
“Understanding The Impact Of Sleep Deprivation On STEM

Student's Academic Performance”

NERIEL REIGH RARUGAL

JARED DEL ROSARIO
STEM 11-DIOPHANTUS

MAY 2024

Contents of the Concept Paper:

Page 1 – Proposed Title

Page 2 – Introduction (Proposed Aim of the Study and Driving

Forces)

Page 3 – Proposed Statement of the Problem

Page 4 – Scope and Delimitations

Page 5 – Significance of the Study (Proposed beneficiaries)

Page 6 – 10 Related Literatures and Studies (All in all)

Page 7 – Definition of Terms (Alphabetical order)

Page 8 – Citation of Sources

 INTRODUCTION

(Background)

Sleep is an inseparable part of human health and life, crucial for learning,

practice, and overall well-being, impacting individual learning capacity, academic

performance, and neural-behavioral functions. Sleep deprivation is a growing concern

among students, especially in STEM fields, with critical implications for academic

success and the future workforce in technology and innovation, drawing international

attention to address this issue effectively.

[International]

Research conducted globally has shown the detrimental impact of sleep

deprivation on students' memory recall, problem-solving skills, and cognitive abilities.

According to Healthcare (2022) to Seven of the top 15 causes of death in the United

States, including diabetes, septicemia, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, cancer,

and cardiovascular disease, have been related to shorter sleep durations. As reported by

The Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research (2019), It is

estimated that 50 to 70 million Americans chronically suffer from a disorder of sleep

and wakefulness, hindering daily functioning and adversely affecting health and
longevity. This concerning issue has led to the initiation of international campaigns and

collaborative research efforts to tackle the challenges faced by STEM students in

balancing academic responsibilities with maintaining healthy sleep habits

[National]

In the Philippines, the impact of sleep deprivation is particularly notable due to

various factors such as work schedules, lifestyle choices, and societal expectations.

Based on The Philippine Star (2020), Millions of Filipinos are opting to sleep less and

fewer hours each night, which could have disastrous consequences. Reasons for this

include the effects of the country's intolerable traffic, the growth of the business process

outsourcing sector, and the country's Internet usage trend. It is crucial for individuals to

prioritize their sleep health and make necessary lifestyle changes to ensure they get an

adequate amount of rest each night.

[Local]

In Calbayog City, it is crucial to explore how lack of sleep affects the academic

performance of STEM students. As young learners in science, technology, engineering,

and mathematics strive for excellence, the importance of adequate rest on their learning

capabilities cannot be overlooked. The National Sleep Foundation (2019) strictly

recommended that teenagers and adults should sleep between 7-9 hours a properly

respond to daily activities. Implementing programs that prioritize sleep health and well-

being can contribute to improved academic performance, mental well-being, and overall

success in STEM education among students in Calbayog City.

[AIM OF THE STUDY]

This study investigates how irregular sleep patterns and insufficient rest affect

cognitive abilities and achievements in STEM students. By exploring the impact of sleep

deprivation on academic success in STEM fields, the research aims to investigate the

relationship between sleep deprivation and STEM (science, technology, engineering,

and mathematics) students' academic performance. More specifically, the study will

investigate how sleep deprivation affects the cognitive abilities, academic performance,

and general academic achievements of students enrolled in STEM programs. This study

aims to provide useful insights into the possible consequences of sleep deprivation and

suggest practical strategies to mitigate its negative impact on student success in STEM

fields by analyzing the effects of irregular sleep patterns on the academic

accomplishments of STEM students.

 [DRIVING FORCES)

As dedicated researchers, we embarked on this study for three compelling reasons:

First and foremost, nation-building is a major motivation for us researchers.

Understanding the critical role that education plays in this quest, we are driven by the

possible negative consequences that any flaws in the educational system could have on

both instructors and pupils.

Second, we researchers are fully aware of the pandemic's significant academic

effects on society within its continuous course. We hope to emphasize the need of

resolving this important issue by drawing attention to the educational consequences,

such as declining academic performance.

Lastly, as researchers, we're dedicated to helping the next generation of leaders

develop. We understand the importance of students in building the care economy and

the nation's founding institutions. Our research aims to strengthen the teaching

workforce and develop the next generation of leaders by addressing the issues that

students and teachers face in this changing.

 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This paper in the Following School Year Of 2023-2024 Aims To Study The

Influence Of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance, Mental Health, and wellbeing

of Students under Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (STEM) Related

Strands and what differences it brings to their Academic Performance. This Paper Seeks

to answer the following questions

1. What is sleep deprivation, and how does it differ from simply not getting

enough sleep occasionally?

2. How much hours of sleep does the respondents get on average and how it

affects their cognitive functions?

3. What are the different factors that leads to sleep deprivation?

4. How does sleep deprivation impact Daily Performance And Productivity within

the classroom?

5. What effects can sleep deprivation produce on a STEM Student’s Mental &

Physical Health?

6. How does the impact of sleep deprivation on a Student’s mental and physical

health influence their academic performance?

7. What Are Some Effective Strategies For Managing Sleep Deprivation?

 SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

(Scope)

In order to better understand how sleep deprivation affects STEM students'

academic performance in Calbayog, the study will specifically focus on STEM students

enrolled in the area's educational institutions. It aims to investigate various aspects such

as sleep patterns, study habits, and academic accomplishments. The research will utilize

surveys, interviews, and academic records to gather information and analyze the

relationship between sleep deprivation and academic achievement. The primary goal is

to provide insights and recommendations tailored to the unique circumstances of STEM

students in Calbayog.

(Delimitations)

The study is constrained to STEM students enrolled in Calbayog, thereby limiting

the representation of all STEM students. There may be potential constraints on sample

size that could impact the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the study may

not be able to account for every external factor that could influence sleep deprivation

and academic achievement among STEM students in Calbayog.

 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

(PROPOSED BENEFICIARIES)

The beneficiaries of a study on understanding the impact of sleep deprivation on

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students' academic

performance would include:

Students: By understanding how their sleep patterns impact their academic

performance, they may adjust their schedules in order to improve their grades.

Educators: Understanding the effects of sleep deprivation can help teachers and

professors implement strategies to support students in managing their workload and

maintaining healthy sleep habits.

Parents: Parents can educate themselves on the value of sleep for their kids' academic

performance and can start promoting good sleep habits at a young age.

School administrators: By implementing policies and programs that encourage

students to adopt better sleep hygiene, they could possibly enabled to improve

students' academic performance overall.

Healthcare Professionals: Using this information, physicians and psychologists can

advise parents and students on the value of sleep and how to handle sleep-related

issues that might be affecting their academic performance.

Researchers: By gaining a deeper understanding of the connection between sleep and

academic performance, more research in this field may result in innovative treatments

or treatments for students who struggle with sleep-related problems.Oten

 RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES (ALL IN ALL)

This chapter contains different literatures and studies related to sleep

deprivation and its effects on academic performance that is essential to construct the

study.

Related Literatures

Sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation is one of the most striking problems of modern society. very

often, to cope with many daily interests, many prefer to sacrifice some sleep time, in the

hope that this will not induce dangerous effects but will enable them to carry out several

other activities. Expert defines the term sleep deprivation for going a whole night

without sleep or sleeping very little for one or two nights. When a person experiences

sleep deprivation, they either sleep for a shorter amount of time than their body

requires to stay healthy (cerilli 2024).

Also, sleep deprivation is common among patients in the intensive care unit

(ICU). Poor sleep quality in the ICU has effects such as delirium, weakening the wound

healing, and anxiety. Researches have concluded that the etiologies for sleep deprivation

are multifactorial. The findings indicated that sleep deprivations etiologies among ICU

patients can be environmental and nonenvironmental. Sensory overload, sensory

deprivation, and patients' care activities are environmental etiologies for sleep

deprivation. The nonenvironmental factors include pharmacological, physical, and

psychological factors (Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. 2020).

Furthermore, according to Medical News Today (2020) sleep deprivation arises

when an individual fails to attain sufficient, restorative sleep, impacting various facets of

health, overall functioning, and cognitive performance in daily activities. Furthermore, it

can compromise the immune system's efficacy and heighten susceptibility to certain

health ailments.

In Addition, sleep deprivation is commonly associated with reduced neural

responses in the prefrontal, parietal, and hippocampal regions, but increased responses

have been observed in the basal ganglia and thalamus. This divergence in neural

response changes can be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, it's possible that these regions

are naturally hyperactivated by prolonged sleep deprivation and may not directly

contribute to cognitive functions. The thalamus, for instance, plays a role in

consciousness and regulating the sleep-wake cycle, so increased activity might be

necessary to maintain wakefulness despite sleepiness and fatigue. Secondly, this

heightened activity could serve as a compensatory mechanism. As other brain regions

exhibit decreased activity following sleep deprivation, the basal ganglia and thalamus,
being less affected, might ramp up their activity to compensate for the diminished

neural responses elsewhere (Steriade and Llinas, 1988; Redinbaugh et al., 2020).

Moreover, lack of sleep can impair cognitive abilities in individuals. Research on

the immediate effects of sleep deprivation on the brain indicates that most cognitive

deficits typically recover after two nights of uninterrupted sleep. Nevertheless,

experiments conducted on mice suggest potential long-term consequences of extended

sleep deprivation or chronic sleep restriction, potentially increasing the risk of

neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease and dementia (Bobić et.al,

2020).

In summary, sleep deprivation poses a significant challenge in modern society,

often sacrificed for various daily demands, yet its repercussions extend beyond mere

fatigue. From its detrimental effects on cognitive function and overall well-being to its

association with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia, sleep

deprivation underscores the importance of prioritizing adequate rest. The multifaceted

nature of its etiologies, encompassing environmental and nonenvironmental factors,

necessitates a comprehensive approach to address this issue. While some cognitive

deficits may transiently resolve with rest, the chronic consequences of prolonged sleep

deprivation remain a concern. Therefore, promoting sleep health through education,

lifestyle modifications, and healthcare interventions is essential not only for individual
well-being but also for broader public health initiatives aimed at fostering resilient and

thriving communities.

Related Studies

Sleep quality

The disruption of sleeping hours brought by different diversions such as social

media during the pandemic create a wreaked havoc to the sleep quality among many. In

recent years, advancements in technology and a transition in the choice Of electronic

devices of youth and families have contributed to increased screen activities for

Children and their families (rodriguez & merryman, 2021). At the same time, it was

reported that 46 percent of filipinos lack sufficient sleep, while 32 percent get a sleep of

no more than six hours, One of the highest sleep deprivation rates in asia. Moreover, it

was also pointed out by whipps (2018) that particular causes of insufficient sleep

quality and length vary, and the impact of Multimedia devices in the bedroom on sleep

quality is a relevant matter of discussion. These Incidents prompted researchers to

inspect the linkage in the usage of social networking sites to the Quality of sleep.
 The study by Buch et al. (2019) stated that sleep is critical for the mind and body

to be in good condition to function correctly. As a result, poor sleep quality poses a high

risk of causing short- and long-term consequences to health (Medic, 2019). According to

Medic et al. (2019), short-term poor sleep quality results include stress reactivity, bodily

conditions, well-being, emotional distress, mood disturbances, other mental health

illnesses, cognitive, memory, performance, and behavioral impairments. In contrast,

long-term consequences include hypertensive disorders, hyperlipidemia, heart diseases,

weight gain, and metabolic abnormalities. Sleep deprivation may also increase other

cancer risks and death in males and suicidal adolescents and worsen the symptoms of

various digestive dysfunctions.

Furthermore, as cited by Yau et al. (2020), in a study by, sleep quality is akin to

health measures. The understanding adds to the importance of gaining better insight

into sleep quality being relative to everyday life in a youthful, healthful, and undisturbed

sleep population. That is important because sleep disorders such as insomnia can be

potentially lifelong. Additionally, Krueger et al. (1999) defined sleep as a mental and

physical state characterized by changes in consciousness and environmental awareness,

the neuronal activity cycle, and muscular inhibition. During sleep, synaptic activity-

related ionic and electrical events engage the manufacture and distribution of factors

that promote sleep growth. Different growth factors are classified as sleep regulating

substances as a result of theorists' previous research. According to this perspective,

sleep is critical for maintaining our capacity to adapt to a constantly changing

environment.

In addition, the study of Masoed et al. (2021), it was shown in the results that the

majority of their respondents have very good subjective sleep quality and sleep

duration. Although they sometimes suffer from interrupting periods of sleep either

weekly or biweekly. In addition to this, they also do not utilize sleeping medication. In

addition, a study by Becerra et al. (2020) also mentioned that inadequate quality of

sleep is a prominent public health problem because it can result in an increased risk of

diseases such as hypertension, excessive weight gain, diabetes, among others. This

mostly shows up to 32 percent of 18-24 years old individuals. According to CDC data,

the population mentioned is made up of college students who are known to have a poor

quality of sleep.

Correlation between sleep deprivation and academic performance

Inadequate sleep has detrimental effects on the nervous system, leading to

impaired brain function. This cognitive decline linked to sleep deprivation affecting

academic performance. The study of Lowry M., Dean K. and Manders K. indicated a

significant positive correlation between amount of sleep per night with GPA, and a

significant negative correlation between average number of days per week that students
obtained less than five hours of sleep and GPA.” (Lowry et al., 2018) “The Link Between

Sleep Quantity and Academic Performance for the College Student” .

Furthermore, In the study titled "Sleep Quality, Duration, and Consistency are

Associated with Better Academic Performance in College Students by" Okano et al.

(2019) investigated the impact of sleep on academic performance among 88

participants from MIT. Using Fitbit devices to track sleep patterns, the researchers found

a positive correlation between improved sleep quality, longer duration, and better

academic grades. While better sleep consistency also contributed to higher grades, there

was no significant association between sleep quality the night before an exam and test

performance. However, consistent improvements in sleep quality in the month and week

leading up to exams were linked to better grades. Despite these findings, limitations

include the Fitbit's capability to accurately measure sleep quality and the study's

inability to account for other factors like stress, anxiety, and personality traits that could

influence both sleep patterns and academic performance.

Additionally, In the systematic review and meta-analysis titled "Sleep Disruption

in Medicine Students and its Relationship with Impaired Academic Performance,"

Seoane et al. (2020) investigated how sleep deprivation correlates with academic

success across a range of health-related disciplines. Analyzing data from 29 studies

involving 14,170 students, primarily in fields such as medicine, nursing, and kinesiology,
the researchers found that approximately 5,646 students reported experiencing poor

sleep quality. While certain studies suggested that medical students with shorter sleep

durations tended to perform better academically, overall, the research indicated that

sleep deprivation was linked to decreased academic performance. The study

emphasized the importance of regular sleep evaluations and psychiatric assessments for

individuals experiencing sleep disturbances, aiming to potentially improve both their

quality of life and academic outcomes. Additionally, the research underscored the strong

connection between inadequate sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and

compromised academic achievement.

To summarize , the presented different consensus of previous studies conducted

around the world concluded that sleep deprivation provides an impact towards a

student’s academic performance . Also in some studies, cases showed the sleep quantity

is heavily directly proportional to academic performance which will affect a student’s

ability to gain academic achievements.

 DEFINITION OF TERMS (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

To ensure clarity and better comprehension, the following terminology used in

the study have been defined conceptually and/or operationally.

1. Academic performance:

The measurement and evaluation of a student's educational achievements, typically

based on grades, test scores, and other academic assessments.

2. Attention span:

The length of time a person can concentrate on a task without becoming distracted.

3. Cognitive abilities:

Mental skills and processes used to perform tasks such as thinking, learning,

understanding, remembering, and problem-solving.

4. Healthcare professionals:

Individuals involved in providing medical services or promoting health, including

physicians, nurses, and therapists.

5. Sleep deprivation:

A condition characterized by inadequate or poor-quality sleep, often resulting in

adverse effects on cognitive function, mood, and overall health

6. Sleep hygiene:

Practices and habits that promote good sleep quality and quantity, including

maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a restful sleep environment, and

avoiding sleep-disrupting activities.

7. Sleep patterns:

Regular or irregular cycles of sleep stages and durations that influence overall sleep

quality and restorative benefits.

8. Socio-demographics:

Societal characteristics including age, sex, education level, and socioeconomic status.

9. Socioeconomic standing:

The social and economic position of an individual or group in society, determined by

factors such as income, education, occupation, and social status

10. Stem (science, technology, engineering, mathematics):

An academic discipline that encompasses science, technology, engineering, and

mathematics, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation.

11. Study habits:

The behaviors, routines, and strategies that students use to learn, retain information,

and prepare for academic assessments, affecting their academic performance and

success.

12. Well-being:

Overall state of health, happiness, and prosperity of an individual, encompassing

physical, mental, and social aspects.

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