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Time Management as a Behavior Modification
The use of this research will exalt further applicable studies in up- coming events of the
participant by showing the different types of behavioral methods to promote healthy timely habits.
Additionally, the treatment will present optimistic options and forestall the decline of behavior of
irregular time management. This will include owning a telephone or personal watches for convenience.
Time management is defined as a “self-controlled attempt to use time in a subjectively efficient way to
achieve outcomes” (Koch et.al. 2002). It is also described as “achieving an effective use of time while
performing certain goal-directed activities.” (Claessens et.al. 2007).
The participant used for this study will be a female college student that lives residentially and
attends classes in person. The individual will be responsible for collecting numerical data by installing an
advanced reminder app linked to her smart watch and telephone which will be used before and after each
activity. The baseline phase of this experiment will indicate time management as being insufficient
through lack of awareness, unproductivity, procrastination, and posses’ cognitive dissonance. The
purpose of this study is to observe and record the participants study and natural habits.
More in depth with how the participants behavior changes and the amount of
structure in daily planning to measure the importance of accurate productive time
management.
The individual was specifically chosen for the study due to verbal
announcements of tardiness with peers and professors, consistently over-plans
certain events with the cause of mental burnout, and in some cases, boredom. With
these habits that are being presented on a daily basis, the positive outlook indicates
spending more time studying tends to be associated with increased academic performance, especially
when accounting for prior ability and the quality of engagement (Doumen et al. 2014). But, without a
change in conscious behavior, it can result in the participants home and career life becoming dreadful,
therefore it is best to implement a healthier strategy of one’s own time.
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Once it is indicated that the individual has a better understanding and has put effort into bettering
their quality time, the participant will see their daily schedules to be not overbearing mentally, but to also
have a positive impact of their productivity. Once the behavior modification sets in, this will initially lead
to a healthier mindset and to maintain a consistent routine.
Research on the Target Behavior
There have been plentiful studies done on time management in the last couple of years due to its
drastic increase within most people. Many scholars have conducted their own theories on why and how to
treat the process of individuals extensive thought processes in a maintained balanced schedule. Ravari et.al.
(2008) conducted their research at Kerman University of Medical Sciences on how college students manage
their time by the way they study. They resulted in doing a cross-sectional study by selecting 300 students,
using the stratified-sample method. The researchers asked each student questions using a questionnaire
about time management on a scale of “never” or “always”. Ravari et al. concluded that there was a
significant difference between the course of study and the mean of study duration. Most students
answered (186 persons=62%) “occasionally” and only 48 people (16%) answered “always” were
managing their study time. An estimated total of 26% of medical students always managed their study
time, and in this criterion, they had the highest scores in comparison to others.<Therefore, the students of
medical sciences have no schedule for their study time management. In correlation to the study, it is
necessary to teach time management points to college students to internalize the necessary actions of time
management attitudes and their behavior.
Research Method on Treatment Method
The treatment that will be broadcasted in this study will be the reinforcement dynamic.
Miltenberger (2008) describes reinforcement as a behavior that result in a favorable outcome (one that
contributes to the well-being or survival of the animal), that behavior is more likely to be repeated in the
future in similar circumstances. In other words, there are positive and negative enforcers that can either
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portray a beneficial outcome that an action has taken place or can mean something negative can be taken
away in order to increase the desired behavior.
In this study, the participant will focus on persisting on having a timely schedule planned out
ahead of time for the entire day, which can lead to having a positive reinforcer as time goes on. Whether
it is the installed app on the smart devices that keeps reminding of time or a friend that gives
encouragement and later rewards them for the behavior can lead to accomplishing the desired goal.
Conclusion
The modification of effective time management was chosen for the reason that it would pursue
the participant because she can greatly benefit from having management skills. On the contrary, the
participant is exposed to great amounts of events and schoolwork which can be difficult to manage time
for. Increasing productivity and consistency would be helpful to the participant because it would allow
her to be taught that by being on top of things and taking initiative, it will be easier to plan and schedule
times that she would know will work. In conclusion, this behavior modification will succeed in further
behavioral studies as it presents the importance of modifying certain attributes that can lead individuals
into having strong willed goals that help them in the adult world.
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References
Burcak, C. O., Levent, I. E., & Kaan, E. O. (2015). Investigation of time management skills of college
students who play sports and don't play sports.Ovidius University Annals, Series Physical Education and
Sport/Science, Movement and Health,15(2 S1), 602.
Claessens, B. J. C., van Eerde, W., Rutte, C. G., & Roe, R. A. (2007). A review of the time management
literature. Personnel Review, 36, 255–276.
Koch, C. J., & Kleinmann, M. (2002). A stitch in time saves nine: behavioral decision-making
explanations for time management problem. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology,
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Miltenberger, R. G. (2016).<Behavior modification: Principles and procedures<(6th ed.). Cengage
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Ravari A, Alhani F, Anoosheh M, Mirzaie-Khalilabadi T. The pattern of time management in college
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URL:<http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-140-en.html
Wolters, C. A., & Brady, A. C. (2021). College Students’ Time Management: a Self-Regulated Learning
Perspective.Educational Psychology Review,33(4), 1319-1351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-020-
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