Are you looking to do a more qualitative analysis coding of open/free guided responses? Or are you wanting to do a more quantitative data collection with a Likert scale or ranking? Forced choice or do you want to allow for neutral positions? What is your participant sample size and method of questionnaire dissemination?

I'm time bounded so I'm doing a quantitative study, with likert scales and closed ended questions, my sample size is 384 as of now, and my questionnaire dissemination is online, Google forms to be specific.

1. Qualitative Questionnaire: Open/Free Guided Responses

This questionnaire is designed to encourage open-ended responses, providing rich qualitative data for analysis.

1. Describe how you feel during your most alert moments of the day.

• Follow-up: What activities or environments seem to help you feel more awake and attentive?

2. How do you typically feel in the afternoon, particularly around 2-3 PM?

• Follow-up: Are there any patterns to your energy levels during this time?

3. Can you recall any specific times when you felt particularly sleepy in class or while studying? Please describe the situation.

4. How does your sleep quality affect your ability to focus on tasks? Please provide examples.

5. How do you manage sleepiness or fatigue during the day? What strategies, if any, do you use to stay alert?

6. In what ways does your environment (e.g., classroom, dorm room, library) influence your focus and energy levels?

7. When you experience sleepiness, how do you feel it impacts your academic performance or overall well-being?

8. Describe any challenges you face in maintaining attention during long lectures or study sessions.

9. How does your level of attention or sleepiness differ on days when you sleep more versus when you sleep less?

10. How does caffeine or other stimulants (e.g., energy drinks) affect your alertness and attention? Please explain.

11. Are there specific activities that seem to trigger sleepiness, such as reading, watching videos, or using a computer? Please elaborate.

12. How would you describe your sleep habits on a typical school night? Include information on bedtime, sleep duration, and any disruptions.

13. What, if anything, do you think would help improve your attention or reduce daytime sleepiness?

14. How does your attention shift throughout the day? Describe any highs or lows you experience.

15. How does your mood influence your attention or energy levels during the day?

2. Quantitative Questionnaire: Likert Scales, True/False, and Ranked Choices

This questionnaire is designed to gather quantitative data for statistical analysis.

1. On a typical weekday, how many hours of sleep do you get?

• 0-4 hours
• 5-6 hours
• 7-8 hours
• 9+ hours

2. How often do you feel sleepy during daytime activities (e.g., classes, studying)?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

3. On a scale from 1 to 5, how well do you feel you concentrate in class or during study sessions? (1 = Very Poorly, 5 = Very Well)

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

4. How often do you have difficulty staying awake or alert in the afternoon?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

5. How frequently do you rely on caffeine (coffee, energy drinks, etc.) to stay awake or alert during the day?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

6. I find that sleepiness affects my ability to perform well academically.

• Strongly Disagree
• Disagree
• Neutral
• Agree
• Strongly Agree

7. How often do you feel that your attention is affected by a lack of sleep?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

8. On a scale from 1 to 5, how motivated are you to stay alert and focused throughout the day? (1 = Not Motivated, 5 = Very Motivated)

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

9. True or False: I feel more focused and productive after a nap during the day.

• True
• False

10. How often do you experience “brain fog” or difficulty focusing after waking up?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

11. How often do you find yourself getting distracted by your surroundings during study sessions or lectures?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

12. On a scale of 1 to 5, rate how much you feel sleep influences your ability to pay attention in class (1 = No Influence, 5 = Major Influence).

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

13. How would you rate your overall daytime energy levels?

• Very Low
• Low
• Neutral
• High
• Very High

14. On a typical day, how often do you need to take breaks to maintain focus during study sessions?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

15. True or False: I feel more sleepy on days when I don't get enough sleep at night.

• True
• False

16. When I feel sleepy during the day, I tend to be less productive.

• Strongly Disagree
• Disagree
• Neutral
• Agree
• Strongly Agree

17. How often do you experience sleep disturbances (e.g., waking up during the night, difficulty falling asleep)?

• Never
• Rarely
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

18. How do you rate your overall sleep quality (e.g., how rested you feel after sleeping)?

• Very Poor
• Poor
• Neutral
• Good
• Very Good

19. True or False: I tend to feel more awake and alert after engaging in physical activity or exercise.

• True
• False

20. How likely are you to take a nap during the day if you feel sleepy?

• Very Unlikely
• Unlikely
• Neutral
• Likely
• Very Likely

These two questionnaires provide complementary approaches: the qualitative one captures detailed personal insights and experiences, while the quantitative one allows for statistical analysis and comparison of various factors related to sleepiness and attention in college students.

I assumed n=200, and offered neutral positions in Likert scales. You will have to vet the quality and relevance of the questions, but maybe this will give you a start. I always like to collect qualitative data with the quantitative, even if I can’t use then right away. You can’t go back and collect later, but you can always do additional studies and you’ll have the data to do it.

Happy to help

(-:

I think about Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS).

Scale: 6-point Likert scale

• 1 = Almost Always

• 2 = Very Frequently

• 3 = Somewhat Frequently

• 4 = Somewhat Infrequently

• 5 = Very Infrequently

• 6 = Almost Never

@vu Tuan anh phan, I know about the scale but I'm focusing more on academic attention and the MAAS scale focuses more on mindfulness. That's why I don't want to use it. Thank you very much though.

I suggest you use mixed methods in which you need a categorical data instrument such as a survey for the sake of behavioral attention and a numerical data instrument such as a test or a questionnaire testing attention control with scores as in a Likert scale. Then you will triangulate both categorical data and numerical ones using the Attention Control Scale.

That's a good idea, thank you. I'll look into it.