The Effect of Sleep on Symptoms of Depression

by | Aug 5, 2024 | psychology

You are working as a methodologist and have been tasked with designing the methods section for a research study. You will do an in-depth dive into the design elements of eachpart of the methods section through your weekly assignments. It is important that you check instructor feedback weekly and make revisions before submitting the final project. It is also important to understand that you are not collecting data for this project. If you use your research question and hypothesis from Introduction to Experimental Psychology, you will have a complete research proposal that can serve as a fantastic template for the future. It is highly suggested that you use the final project template attached above.

Before Part 1, you will need to download a copy of the final project template shown above. You will fill out the assigned sections for each week.

Part 1: Introduce your topic and the the importance of this topic. Discuss your research briefly, use one or more citations to support that, add your research question, hypothesis and tell your reader what to expect in this paper. Your will use your research question and hypothesis from Introduction to Experimental Psychology. Report it in part 1 of the assignment. If you have not taken Introduction to Experimental Psychology yet, choose one of the three research topics below and report the research question and the hypothesis.

What is the effect of the amount of sleep on symptoms of depression?
What is the effect of parenting styles on levels of happiness in children?
What is the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder?

 

Part 2: You will complete the next section of your methodology paper here by writing about the research design you will be using for this study.

Research design Here you will discuss your chosen methodology and justify why it is the best design for your study. Here is how you can break it down:
Based upon your review of the literature and/or your textbook, which research method would be the best choice?
(e.g., experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational, survey, etc.)
Provide AT LEAST one citation that supports your research design choice. For example, if you are using a factorial design, then you must have a citation that states why it is the best choice to answer your research question.

 

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Research Methodology Proposal: The Effect of Sleep on Symptoms of Depression

Part 1: Introduction to the Topic

Importance of the Topic

Depression is a prevalent mental health issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide, leading to significant impairments in daily functioning and quality of life. The relationship between sleep and mental health has garnered substantial interest in recent years, with an increasing body of evidence suggesting that inadequate sleep can exacerbate symptoms of depression (Walker, 2017). Understanding this relationship is vital for developing effective interventions and treatment plans for individuals struggling with depression.

Brief Overview of Research

This study aims to investigate the effect of the amount of sleep on symptoms of depression. Previous research has indicated a bidirectional relationship between sleep and mood, where poor sleep can lead to increased depressive symptoms, and depression can also contribute to sleep disturbances (Germain et al., 2013). By exploring this relationship further, we can gain insights into potential therapeutic approaches that may alleviate depressive symptoms through sleep enhancement.

Research Question and Hypothesis

The primary research question guiding this study is: What is the effect of the amount of sleep on symptoms of depression? Based on existing literature, I hypothesize that increased sleep duration will be associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms. This paper will outline the research design, methodology, and statistical analyses that will be utilized to address this question.

Part 2: Research Design

Chosen Methodology

For this study, a correlational research design will be employed. This design is particularly suitable for examining the relationship between two variables—in this case, the amount of sleep and symptoms of depression—without manipulating either variable. Correlational studies allow researchers to identify patterns and associations that can inform further experimental investigations or clinical practices (Creswell & Creswell, 2017).

Justification for Research Design Choice

Correlational research is an effective choice for this study because it enables the examination of naturally occurring variations in sleep patterns and depressive symptoms among participants. Given the ethical considerations that prevent researchers from manipulating factors such as sleep duration in a clinical population, a correlational approach provides an opportunity to gather valuable data while respecting participants’ well-being (Sullivan et al., 2019). Furthermore, correlational studies can yield meaningful insights that may lead to hypothesis generation for future experimental studies.

Supporting Citation

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Sullivan, G. M., & Feinn, R. (2019). Using Effect Size—or Why the P Value Is Not Enough. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 11(3), 331-336. doi:10.4300/JGME-D-18-00134.1

This structured approach lays the foundation for a comprehensive methodology section of a research proposal, ensuring clarity and depth in discussing the research topic and design choice.

 

 

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