Academic performance depends on chronotype: Myth or reality?

Abstract

Introduction: Chronotype refers to an individual’s preference in the timing of sleep and wakefulness. Aim: This study targets to notice the relation between chronotype and academic performance of the first year MBBS students. Objectives: 1. To ascertain the chronotype of first year MBBS students 2. To harmonize the chronotype and internal assessment theory marks. This is an educational observational study, conducted on hundred first MBBS students in a medical college, located at sub-urban area of Hyderabad. Self-assessment Morningness and Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) developed by James A. Horne and Olov O¨ stberg is applied in segregating the students into different chrontype groups. MEQ is having 19 multiple choice questions with four to five options against each question and with specific score for each option and the scores can vary from zero to six. After completion of MEQ test, students were grouped accordingly. Mean of the internal theory assessment marks and percentage of theory attendance for each chronotype group was calculated. The relation between the chronotype, theory marks and percentage of theory attendance was ascertained. Results: There is no correlation between the MEQ scores and the first internal assessment theory marks, though the marks are positively correlated with the theory attendance percentage. Conclusion: Academic performance depends on chronotype, it is a myth not real. Keywords: Academic Performance, Chronotype, Morningness and Eveningness, Questionnaire.