DATA ANALYSIS

Data Analysis



Data Analysis

Introduction

Statistical survey was conducted to gather qualitative data in order to determine whether factors such as age, international or home student classification and students' lifestyle may affect their performance at Coventry University London Campus. Importance of such topic is what compelled an interest in conducting the survey. Students' employment status, age, home/EU classification and lifestyles are the variables that may act as confounding factors in shaping students' learning. The main aim of this survey is to analyse differences between student groups and grades they achieved; and whether it occurred purely due to chance or due to confounding variables.

According to “Smoking 'is bad for your brain (2004)” article, smoking can affect individual's intellectual health and IQ. For additional understanding in this topic, I chose to test one of my hypotheses “Non-smoking students will have better grades than smoking students.” Considering that working students will have less time available for them than unemployed students, they will also have two things to focus on in their life (studying and working); therefore predictive outcome is that those students may perform less well at their studies at the university. Furthermore, the hypothesis is “Non-working students will have better grades than working students.” Previous research evidence by Lido C., Stuart M., Morgan J. (2011) also have shown that UK Home students had better degree outcomes at the higher education than foreign students due to their sense of entitlement and belonging. The hypothesis to be tested: “UK Home students will have better grades than international students.” Another hypothesis to be tested is “21+ age group students will have better grades than other age groups.” According to Buhl L. (n.d.) older students tend to concentrate more on their studies and have a greater ability to focus than younger students.

Hypotheses

UK Home students(X) will have better grades than international students (Y).

H1 = X > Y

The difference in grades between international and home students will be equal or international students will do better than home students.

H0 = X = Y

Non-smoking students (W) will have better grades than smoking students (Z)

H1 = W >Z

There will be no difference in grades between smoking students and non-smoking students or non-smoking students will do better.

H0 = W = Z

Non-working students (Q) will have better grades than working students (P). H1 = Q > PThere will be no difference in grades between working and non-working students or working students will do better.H0 = Q = PThere will be no difference in grades between age groups or other age groups will do better.

H0 = A = B

Methodology

Opportunity sampling technique was used when randomly selecting 100 available students; each participant matched the criteria of being a CULC student. Reasonable sample size of 100 was used for more useful measurable results. Survey took place at the university campus, on the computers; online and anonymously where participant's confidentiality was not breached. Subjects were 46 males and 54 females, 57% of students were aged 21 and over; 43% aged between 17-20 years old, ...