Written Assignment Unit 2: Sleep Deprivation.
University of the People.
PSYC 1504: Introduction to Psychology.
Instructor: Dr. Semenova.
10th February 2022.
1|Brian Wanyonyi – University of the People.
, Analysis of a research article on the effects of sleep deprivation.
As already stated, sleep is important in order for us to thrive in our environment. In the article
‘Effects of sleep deprivation on performance, Pilcher and Huffcut (1996) conducted research to
quantitatively describe the effects of sleep loss using meta-analysis to mathematically summarize
data from 19 original research studies. This is considered a relatively new technique to the field
of sleep research.
The results of the analysis of 143 study coefficients and a total sample size of 1,932 suggested
that overall sleep deprivation strongly impairs human functioning. Moreover, they found that
mood is more affected by sleep deprivation than either cognitive or motor performance and that
partial sleep deprivation has a more profound effect on functioning than either long-term or
short-term sleep deprivation. In general, these results indicate that the effects of sleep deprivation
may be underestimated in some narrative reviews, particularly those concerning the effects of
partial sleep deprivation. (Pilcher & Huffcutt,1996).
Since this was a meta-analysis technique, the study was done based on already available data
from original research studies.
The data for these meta-analyses were located by extensive literature searches on the
computerized databases PsychLit (1987-1993) and Med On-Line (1986- 1993) and in the
extensive Sleep Research bibliography (1986-1993). These searches resulted in references for
studies published between 1984 and 1992.
The search was then extended by locating sleep deprivation studies that were referenced in these
studies. A total of 56 primary articles were located which investigated the effects of sleep
deprivation on performance.
2|Brian Wanyonyi – University of the People.
University of the People.
PSYC 1504: Introduction to Psychology.
Instructor: Dr. Semenova.
10th February 2022.
1|Brian Wanyonyi – University of the People.
, Analysis of a research article on the effects of sleep deprivation.
As already stated, sleep is important in order for us to thrive in our environment. In the article
‘Effects of sleep deprivation on performance, Pilcher and Huffcut (1996) conducted research to
quantitatively describe the effects of sleep loss using meta-analysis to mathematically summarize
data from 19 original research studies. This is considered a relatively new technique to the field
of sleep research.
The results of the analysis of 143 study coefficients and a total sample size of 1,932 suggested
that overall sleep deprivation strongly impairs human functioning. Moreover, they found that
mood is more affected by sleep deprivation than either cognitive or motor performance and that
partial sleep deprivation has a more profound effect on functioning than either long-term or
short-term sleep deprivation. In general, these results indicate that the effects of sleep deprivation
may be underestimated in some narrative reviews, particularly those concerning the effects of
partial sleep deprivation. (Pilcher & Huffcutt,1996).
Since this was a meta-analysis technique, the study was done based on already available data
from original research studies.
The data for these meta-analyses were located by extensive literature searches on the
computerized databases PsychLit (1987-1993) and Med On-Line (1986- 1993) and in the
extensive Sleep Research bibliography (1986-1993). These searches resulted in references for
studies published between 1984 and 1992.
The search was then extended by locating sleep deprivation studies that were referenced in these
studies. A total of 56 primary articles were located which investigated the effects of sleep
deprivation on performance.
2|Brian Wanyonyi – University of the People.
