Interpreting Cognitive Effects of Sleep Deprivation

In a study on the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, researchers recruited 100 participants and divided them into two groups: a sleep-deprived group that received only 4 hours of sleep for one night and a control group that received a full 8 hours of sleep. After the sleep manipulation, all participants completed a battery of cognitive tests measuring memory, attention, and reaction time.

Upon analysis, the researchers found that the sleep-deprived group performed significantly poorer on tasks measuring both memory and attention, but showed no statistically significant difference in reaction time compared to the control group. The researchers hypothesize that sleep deprivation primarily affects higher-order cognitive functions, such as memory and attention, rather than basic motor skills.

Using the data indicated in the scenario, explain how the researchers might interpret these findings. In your response, address the concepts of external validity, generalization of results, and any potential confounding variables that could affect the interpretation of the study's results.