title: Questionnaire-Derived Sleep Habits and Academic Achievement in First Year University Students

authors: Driller, Matthew W.

subjects: grades

abstract: This study aimed to determine the effect of sleep quantity and quality via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) on students' academic achievement in their first year of university study. In this cross-sectional study, 193 students (102 female, 91 male, mean ± SD; age = 19.3 ± 2.9 y) from an undergraduate Health degree in New Zealand completed the PSQI four weeks prior to the end of the semester in their first year of university study. Results from three core subjects in the first semester were averaged and correlations between the PSQI and academic success were evaluated using Spearman's rho (ρ). The group were also trichotomized using a PSQI global score of ≤5 as the threshold for "good" sleepers (n = 62, 32%), a score of 5-8 for "moderate" sleepers (n = 63, 33%) and a score ≥8 to characterize "poor" sleepers (n = 68, 35%). Overall, students averaged 7 h 37 min of self-reported sleep duration with an average bedtime of 22:55 p.m. and wake time of 8:01 a.m. There was a significant, small inverse relationship between academic performance and bedtime (p = 0.03, ρ = -0.14), with those going to bed earlier having superior academic success. The trichotomized data demonstrated no significant differences in academic performance between students with poor, moderate and good sleep quality (p = 0.92). Later bedtimes were associated with lower academic performance in a group of first year university students. However, there were no other relationships observed between academic success and self-reported sleep quality or quantity as determined by the PSQI. Enhancing awareness of the impact of sleep timing on academic success should be prioritized and strategies to improve sleep hygiene should be promoted to university students.

text: Questionnaire-Derived Sleep Habits and Academic Achievement in First Year University Students This study aimed to determine the effect of sleep quantity and quality via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) on students' academic achievement in their first year of university study. In this cross-sectional study, 193 students (102 female, 91 male, mean ± SD; age = 19.3 ± 2.9 y) from an undergraduate Health degree in New Zealand completed the PSQI four weeks prior to the end of the semester in their first year of university study. Results from three core subjects in the first semester were averaged and correlations between the PSQI and academic success were evaluated using Spearman's rho (ρ). The group were also trichotomized using a PSQI global score of ≤5 as the threshold for "good" sleepers (n = 62, 32%), a score of 5-8 for "moderate" sleepers (n = 63, 33%) and a score ≥8 to characterize "poor" sleepers (n = 68, 35%). Overall, students averaged 7 h 37 min of self-reported sleep duration with an average bedtime of 22:55 p.m. and wake time of 8:01 a.m. There was a significant, small inverse relationship between academic performance and bedtime (p = 0.03, ρ = -0.14), with those going to bed earlier having superior academic success. The trichotomized data demonstrated no significant differences in academic performance between students with poor, moderate and good sleep quality (p = 0.92). Later bedtimes were associated with lower academic performance in a group of first year university students. However, there were no other relationships observed between academic success and self-reported sleep quality or quantity as determined by the PSQI. Enhancing awareness of the impact of sleep timing on academic success should be prioritized and strategies to improve sleep hygiene should be promoted to university students.

year: 2021-12-28

title: Browsing a digital library: A new approach for the New Zealand digital library

authors: McKay, Dana

subjects: computer science

abstract: Browsing is part of the information seeking process, used when information needs are ill-defined or unspecific. Browsing and searching are often interleaved during information seeking to accommodate changing awareness of information needs. Digital Libraries often support full-text search, but are not so helpful in supporting browsing. Described here is a novel browsing system created for the Greenstone software used by the New Zealand Digital Library that supports users in a more natural approach to the information seeking process. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.

text: Browsing a digital library: A new approach for the New Zealand digital library Browsing is part of the information seeking process, used when information needs are ill-defined or unspecific. Browsing and searching are often interleaved during information seeking to accommodate changing awareness of information needs. Digital Libraries often support full-text search, but are not so helpful in supporting browsing. Described here is a novel browsing system created for the Greenstone software used by the New Zealand Digital Library that supports users in a more natural approach to the information seeking process. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.

year: 2003

title: Incentivising change in the Lake Rotorua catchment

authors: Grayling, Anna

abstract: Anna Grayling is the Rotorua Lakes Business Manager for Bay of Plenty Regional Council. After completing a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Sciences at the University of Waikato, Anna’s career began as an ecological consultant. Following this role, Anna spent five years in planning and policy for both the district and regional councils. For the last five years Anna has been dedicated to the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme. She is now the project lead for the Incentive Fund Development for land-use change in the Lake Rotorua catchment.
Alastair MacCormick has worked as a Lakes Restoration Officer with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council since 2007. His primary function has been the implementation of nutrient discharge limits under Rule 11. An experienced user of the Overseer nutrient budgeting software, and with broad knowledge of farming systems in the catchment, he also provides information and advice on the issues and complications associated with nutrient accounting.

text: Incentivising change in the Lake Rotorua catchment Anna Grayling is the Rotorua Lakes Business Manager for Bay of Plenty Regional Council. After completing a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Sciences at the University of Waikato, Anna’s career began as an ecological consultant. Following this role, Anna spent five years in planning and policy for both the district and regional councils. For the last five years Anna has been dedicated to the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme. She is now the project lead for the Incentive Fund Development for land-use change in the Lake Rotorua catchment.
Alastair MacCormick has worked as a Lakes Restoration Officer with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council since 2007. His primary function has been the implementation of nutrient discharge limits under Rule 11. An experienced user of the Overseer nutrient budgeting software, and with broad knowledge of farming systems in the catchment, he also provides information and advice on the issues and complications associated with nutrient accounting.

year: 2013