The objective of performing work sampling study on myself as the subject monitoring my daily activities for a period of 20 days is to analyse the proportions of time spent in the various activities performed by me during the period of study and how can use the time more efficiently to achieve my goals. I have selected sports, studying and attending classes as 3 major category of activities I perform during the day and other category for the remaining activities. I chose sports as my first category because playing gives me an opportunity to learn different sport that I am interested in keeping my body active and my mind fresh. Its keeps the adrenaline flowing into my body for the rest of the day or next day. 2nd category i.e. studying helps me fulfil one of my primary objective of maintaining a good GPA in school and the 3rd category attending classes gives me an opportunity to gain knowledge in various topics of industrial engineering to which I am enrolled in UTA.

1. 2016
WORK SAMPLING
MAYANK AGARWAL
1001155950

2. TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES
OBSERVATIONS
DATA SUMMARY
CALCULATIONS
CONCLUSIONS
HAWTHORNE EFFECT

3. INTRODUCTION
Work sampling was introduced to determine the proportion of time spent by an individual
or machine on certain activities of interest using statistical analysis method, categorising the
activities and taking large number of observations in each category at random times. More
the number of observations, more accurate is the result. Observations are taken over a long
period of time hence work sampling study is used in instances where the required time is
available. Work sampling study helps in determining how efficiently the resources are used
to gain optimal results.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of performing work sampling study on myself as the subject monitoring my
daily activities for a period of 20 days is to analyse the proportions of time spent in the
various activities performed by me during the period of study and how can use the time
more efficiently to achieve my goals. I have selected sports, studying and attending classes
as 3 major category of activities I perform during the day and other category for the
remaining activities. I chose sports as my first category because playing gives me an
opportunity to learn different sport that I am interested in keeping my body active and my
mind fresh. Its keeps the adrenaline flowing into my body for the rest of the day or next day.
2nd category i.e. studying helps me fulfil one of my primary objective of maintaining a good
GPA in school and the 3rd category attending classes gives me an opportunity to gain
knowledge in various topics of industrial engineering to which I am enrolled in UTA.
OBSERVATIONS
The number of observations required to estimate the time proportions accurately can be
calculated as below: -
𝑛 =
(𝑧 𝛼
2
)2
𝜌̂(1 − 𝜌̂)
𝑐2
Where, n = no. of observations required
𝑧 𝛼
2
= normal score
ρ̂ = 1/no. of activities
C = half width of the confidence interval
Since we are interested in calculating the 95% confidence interval, 𝑧 𝛼
2
= 1.96, ρ̂ = 1/4 =
0.25, C = 0.05 (α=0.05 for 95% C.I), therefore, 𝑛 =
(1.96)2∗0.25(1−0.25)
0.052 = 288.12
Approximated to 300 observations in 20 days i.e. 15 observations a day.

4. The random time for taking the observation were generated using the randbetween
function in Excel©. I took random values between 354 and 979 and converted them into
time format arranging them into chronological order.
I set an alarm for the 15 random time values in my clock each day for 20 days and took the
observations each time I was notified by an alarm for the following activity categories: -
1. Sports.
2. Study.
3. Attending classes.
4. Other work
Following is the work sampling form I used for recording my observations: -
After taking the observations for 20 days the populated work sampling forms as shown
below were obtained: -

5. Day-1:
Day-2:

6. Day-3:
Day-4:

7. Day-5:
Day-6:

8. Day-7:
Day-8:

9. Day-9:
Day-10:

10. Day-11:
Day-12:

11. Day-13:
Day-14:

12. Day-15:
Day-16:

13. Day-17:
Day-18:

14. Day-19:
Day-20:

15. DATA SUMMARY
Below data was obtained after taking observation for 20 days and cumulating the results: -
CALCULATIONS
To find 95% confidence interval for the proportion of time spent in each category (ρ̂), we
use the below formulae: -
𝜌̂ ± 𝑧 𝛼
2
∗ 𝜎̂ 𝑝
Where, 𝜎̂ 𝑝 = √
𝜌̂∗(1−𝜌̂)
𝑛
𝑧 𝛼
2
= 1.96 for 95% confidence
ρ̂ =
No.of times the activity was performed
Total no.of observation (n)
Sports: - ρ̂ =
38
300
= 0.13, Study: - ρ̂ =
179
300
= 0.60, Attend classes: - ρ̂ =
46
300
= 0.15 and
Other: - ρ̂ =
36
300
= 0.12
Now for Sports: - 𝜎̂ 𝑝 = √
0.13(1−0.13)
300
= 0.02, Study: - 𝜎̂ 𝑝 = √
0.60(1−0.60)
300
= 0.03, For
Attend classes: - 𝜎̂ 𝑝 = √
0.15(1−0.15)
300
= 0.02 and for other: - 𝜎̂ 𝑝 = √
0.12(1−0.12)
300
=
0.02
Therefore substituting the above obtained values in formulae for confidence interval: -

16. CONCLUSION
 From the above calculations we can state with 95% confidence that the proportion of
time spent in: -
Sports = 0.13 lies between 0.09 and 0.16,
Study = 0.60 lies between 0.54 and 0.65,
Attend classes = 0.15 lies between 0.11 and 0.19
Other category = 0.12 lies between 0.08 and 0.16.
 By conducting the study I was able to calculate the time I spent on these activities which
gave me areas for improvement in my time line in order to be more efficient during the
day. The result of above study concludes that 60% of my time is spent in studying which
supports my goal of getting a good GPA. Though this has to increase during the time of
exams which can be done by adjusting the time from other less important activities that
I perform.
 Also proportion of time spent on other activities can be reduced and be used in
performing more valuable activities like playing and studying.
 Playing can be skipped during the exams and the time can be diverted for performing
other activities like cook dinner, morning preparations etc.
 Attending classes is as important part of learning and hence no changes can be possibly
made in that part.
HAWTHORNEEFFECT
 This phenomenon describes the modification or improvement in the behaviour of an
individual while performing an activity in reaction to their awareness of being observed
by someone.
 This can have a positive or negative effect on your performance. For instance while
studying if I come to know that I am being observed, it diverts my concentration from
studies towards that person, also if we start chatting the vital time of study is getting
wasted.
 While studying in groups has a positive effect as well because when i have a doubt in
certain topic, person studying with me helps me through it.
 While playing tennis, if people are observing, I tend to underperform under pressure
sometimes but if people are cheering me it gives me motivation to perform better most
of the times.
 While attending classes the hawthorn effect does not comes into play a lot, but
sometimes if a friend is observing you, it diverts your concentration from listening to the
professor.

17. REFERENCES
Mikell P. Groover, A. A. (2014). Title of work: WORK SYSTEMS: THE Methods, Measurement
and Management of Work. England: Pearson’s.