4-10-14

To: Dale Sullivan

From: Taylor Karger
Subject: The Effects of Video Games on College GPA Progress Report

As requested, this report covers all work done on my major project for English 324 from
February 16
th
, 2014 to April 10
th
, 2014. My projects main focus is to investigate if there
is a relationship between the time college students spend playing video games per week,
and those college students GPAs. Initially, I hypothesized that there will be a negative
relationship between time spent playing video games and the GPAs of college students
(the more time spent playing would lead to decreased GPAs and vice versa).

WORK COMPLETED

Research and editing of the first draft of the project are ongoing.

Initial research and analysis of topic was done before surveys were sent out and
were compiled in an Annotated Bibliography.
Further analysis and background of topic was presented in the Literature Review.
Other online information has also provided useful information about previous
studies on this topic.
Surveys were sent out March 12
th
, 2014.
Survey result analysis began April 9
th
, 2014, and is ongoing.

My findings so far have indicated that there is no significant relationship between the
amount of time that college students spend playing video games per week and the
corresponding grade point averages of those college students. This observation is from
the r-squared coefficient of determination, which I computed from the replies I
received in the surveys. Further analysis could possibly change those findings, but I
believe it will stay the same.

Problems encountered:

Some surveys were not completed fully.
Determining a sample size because of those surveys previously mentioned.
Speculating on why the initial analysis deemed there to be no relationship.

Solutions:

Incomplete surveys were discarded.
The sample size was determined to be 100, because it still allowed for a large
sample size even without the surveys not fully completed.
Speculation on results still ongoing with more analysis to be taking place.

Using these solutions will allow me to have more accurate data, while maintaining a large
sample size.

WORK SCHEDULED

The final research/analysis, creation of presentation, and submission of project portfolio
are to be completed.

Phase One Final Research/Analysis:

o Complete initial research by April 13
th
, 2014.
o Complete any remaining research and analysis before beginning next
phase.

Phase Two Creation of Research Report and Presentation:

o Continue with completing research report April 14
th
, 2014.
o Complete and submit abstract for presentation April 20
th
, 2014.
o Revise first draft following week.
o Begin writing final presentation April 21
st
, 2014.
o Revise and edit presentation alongside research report.
o Complete research report April 27
th
, 2014.
o Submit completed presentation outline and PowerPoint with voice over by
April 27
th
, 2014.

Phase Three Complete Project Portfolio:

o Complete any necessary revisions starting April 28
th
, 2014.
o Submit completed project portfolio by May 4
th
, 2014.

APPRAISAL

Overall, my major project is right on schedule and I should have no trouble with
completing it before the deadlines that I stated in the works scheduled section of this
progress report. I have encountered no problems with this project, other than the minor
ones that I stated. These minor problems have been taken care of and I believe I will be
able to turn my analysis into a research report and presentation with no difficulties. I have
been excited about this topic since the beginning, and have become more intrigued with
the research and finding as the project has moved along. Through my presentation, I plan
to communicate my findings, and hopefully increase awareness and interest in this
subject.