Question

You come across a study investigating the relationship between smartphone use and sleep quality among adolescents. The study concludes that increased smartphone use is directly linked to poorer sleep quality. However, upon examining the data sources, you find that the study relied solely on self-reported smartphone usage and sleep patterns from participants, without considering other factors such as screen brightness or usage time before bed. Which aspect of the study's data collection strategy raises concerns about the accuracy of its conclusions?


The exclusion of demographic information.


The incorrect use of statistical analysis.


The selection of participants.


The reliance on self-reported data.

Answer 1

The aspect of the study's data collection strategy that raises concerns about the accuracy of its conclusions is **the reliance on self-reported data**. Self-reported data can introduce bias and inaccuracies, as participants may not accurately recall or may optimally report their smartphone usage and sleep patterns. This could lead to unreliable findings regarding the relationship between smartphone use and sleep quality. Without objective measurements, the validity of the conclusions drawn from the self-reported data is questionable.