CSUSM 1 California State University San Marcos Smoking & GPA Analysis Business Statistics 304 Spring 2008 Semester Professor Fang Fang Written by: Walter Evans Farzana Mohsini Sheryl Lejano Ryan ThomasCSUSM 2 Introduction Our team set out with the intention of researching, organizing and statistically analyzing the smoking population here at California State University San Marcos. We sought out to prove or disprove a negative, positive or neutral correlation between a student’s smoking habits on campus and the effect on the student’s level of success in regards to their Grade Point Average. By proving or disproving a cause and effect relationship between student smoking and student success, the result would be a course of action in either accommodating the smoking population at CSUSM or making efforts to inform, council and promote a lesser degree of smoking on campus. By doing this survey, it will help us plan and implement smoking intervention programs for California State University San Marcos. These programs may be helpful in preventing and/or correcting the habit of tobacco use in school. Our team understands smoking is a habit and a social norm that has been practiced through out history. We sought it necessary to examine such an issue given the seriousness of the diseases that will result from the habit as well as the existing high prevelant nature of smokers on campus. The campus acts as a sample size in itself for the community of San Marcos and really San Diego County. Our team is aware of the numerous variables in existence that may negatively or positively contribute to our research outcome; however the standard in which we will collect data, develop an outline for calculations and analyze the results will be as accurate as possible for this level of research we are performing. To properly evaluate the extensiveness of a student smoker’s habit and the level of success a student has accomplished, our research will identify the following points as outlined in our survey:CSUSM 3 Cal State San Marcos Smoking Survey Gender: Male Female Class: Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Age: 17-20 21-24 25-28 29-32 33-36 37-40 >40 What is your major? _____________ What is your G.P.A.? <= 2.0 2.01~2.4 2.41~2.80 2.81~3.20 3.21~3.60 >3.6 Do you have a family history of smoking? YES NO When I see a person smoking, it… makes him/her more attractive. makes him/her less attractive has no impact on their attractiveness. Would you date a person who is smoker? YES NO Do you smoke tobacco? YES NO If YES, how many times do you smoke a day? 1-3 times 4-6 times 7-9 times >10 times How long have you been smoking? < 1 year 1-3 years 3-10 years >10 years Thank you for your help on this research project! It is greatly appreciated!CSUSM 4 Methodology We proceeded in our research by surveying 105 students on campus to operate as a population size and represent California State University San Marcos. We proceeded to randomly distribute our surveys on campus within classroom settings. We intentionally distributed the surveys amongst classroom students in both major distinct and general elective classes. Our data has offered us information on the following components: Smoking Habit • Time of day (cigarettes/day) • Duration of smoking • Family History of smoking • Student smoking percentage • Number of student smokers Success as a Student • Major. • GPA Range. • Graduation timeframe. • Number of Credit Units on average per semester. • Number of work hours outside of class devoted to study. As a team we understand the social-cultural dimension of acceptance related to smoking in the general environment. Our team is evident of the fact, television campaigns, medical studies, and legal testimony from tobacco corporations are concluding evidence of the negative effects of smoking for long periods of time. Our team understands the external factors andCSUSM 5 background information that is also relevant in the influencing of the smoking habit on and off campus, those variables include: • Health risks (first and second hand.) • Cancer susceptibility. • Based on time spent on campus in direct connection with smoking. • Comparing and contrasting smoker comfort versus non-smoker discomfort. • Non-smokers hidden annoyances toward smoking. • Smoker’s awareness of nonsmokers. • Determining possible reasons for smoking (stress, habit, social conformity?) The following data was compiled over a multiple week time length during the day from 0900 to 1600, the optimal school hours. The data was organized utilizing an Excel Spreadsheet for the purpose of sorting, formulating and graph/table generation. Our team performed regular meetings inside class, outside class and on the weekends. Our teamwork was essential in properly analyzing our research. We met on a number of occasions with our supervisor to correctly understand and present the information prior to collecting the data and after.CSUSM 6 ResultsCSUSM 7 Data Collection and Organization # Gender Class Age Major G.P.A. History Attractiveness Date? Smoke Per Day Years 1 m Senior 21-24 PSCI 2.41-2.80 no less yes no 0 0 2 m Senior 21-24 PSCI 2.81-3.20 no less no no 0 0 3 m Senior >40 PSCI 3.21-3.60 no less n/a no 0 0 4 f Junior 21-24 Social sci 3.21-3.60 yes less yes no 0 0 5 m sophomore 29-32 Criminology 2.01-2.40 no less no no 0 0 6 m sophomore 17-20 PSCI 2.81-3.20 yes none no no 0 0 7 f sophomore 17-20 Social sci 3.21-3.60 yes less no no 0 0 8 m sophomore 17-20 PSCI >3.6 no less no no 0 0 9 f Senior 25-28 Comm 2.41-2.80 no less no no 0 0 10 f Senior 25-28 PSCI 2.81-3.20 yes none yes no 0 0 11 f Senior 21-24 Comm 2.81-3.20 no less no no 0 0 12 m sophomore 17-20 PSCI 2.41-2.80 yes less no no 0 0 13 m Junior 21-24 Finance 2.81-3.20 yes less no no 0 0 14 f sophomore 17-20 PSCI 3.21-3.60 no less yes no 0 0 15 m Junior 17-20 PSCI 2.81-3.20 no less no no 0 0 16 f junior 21-24 PSCI 2.81-3.20 yes less yes no 0 0 17 m senior 21-24 PSCI 2.41-2.80 yes less no no 0 0 18 m junior 21-24 Business 2.81-3.20 no less no no 0 0 19 m junior 29-32 PSCI 3.21-3.60 no less no no 0 0 20 f senior 21-24 n/a 3.21-3.60 yes none yes no 0 0 21 m sophomore 17-20 PSCI 2.81-3.20 yes