For the sampling process, we will be using convenience sampling. We have chosen this sampling method on the assumption that the sample outcomes are unaffected by time and location of surveying. Using a constant method of convenience sampling and ensuring a uniform number of samples from each age group, the data collected should should exist some sort of bias.

We will be approaching children and adolescents from our LFS 250 workshop schools as well as from programs we work and volunteer with.  For the older population, we will ask seniors that we know or work and volunteer with. We will also visit public locations such as the library and coffee store to gather other responses.  We will also survey relatives or anybody we know, however we will not survey siblings or people who live together. This way, we can ensure our data is independent.

Survey questions:

1. How old are you?

2. How many hours do you sleep on weekdays on average?

3. How many hours do you sleep on weekends on average?

4. What is your occupation (Full-time/Part-time student, Full-time/Part-time job, unemployed, etc.)?

Since we have five independent age-groups and we are using numerical variables, we will be comparing the associated means of average hours of sleep in given age-groups. For the comparison of all the age groups  we will be using ANOVA / Bonferroni testing method. We hypothesize that there will a difference of average hours of sleep between at least two age groups.

We will also use the T-test to compare the means of sleep duration between adults and children. We hypothesize that the sleep duration mean of children will be greater than the hours of sleep for adults.

To justify that Vancouver population can be a representative of the Canadian population, we will be using Chi-Square test goodness of fit to analysis whether they are equivalent. We aim to fail to reject the null hypothesis to show that the distribution is the same. Here is the The Chi-Square Test for Goodness of Fit.

Our analysis requires the age of the participant and the average hours of sleep they receive. It is necessary to differentiate the participants’ sleep duration on weekdays and weekends because people tend to sleep more on weekends when they do not have work or school obligations. We will also be asking them their occupation status (i.e. full-/part-time student, full-/part-time worker and unemployed). Their occupation status could give qualitative data as to the reason for number of hours of sleep.

To keep their participation confidential the survey will be anonymous. The survey forms will clearly state that no direct identifiers will be collected (eg. name, address, email).