Even though my non-capital intensive research is yet non conclusive, I am in no doubt that the UNO or the medical council of any country will approve it as I have not spent a penny in this personal study compared to the British National Hospital Service (NHS) that has spent millions of pounds sterling researching into how to combat snoring, they even have specialist ‘snoring’ hospital.

I started my research into the benefit(s) of snoring in 1997 and the interest began when on a particular night during a group reading session while preparing for a semester examination with a new female acquaintance. We where in a lecture hall with some other students, at about 2am my body did not just fail and I dozed off but treated my female friend and fellow students in the lecture hall to some melodious snoring tunes that could be likened to the sound of the crane that demolished the Kubwa settlement in Abuja last year. The other students in the hall became uncomfortable and as they gestured and laughed my female friend had to stylishly and ‘technically’ wake me up. I became apprehensive not because the hall was filled with so many students but because my application for a date with my female friend was still pending and I felt the ‘bulldozer’ snoring sound I made may negate the success of the application. If you read on you will know if the application was successful.

What qualifies me as a researcher in ‘snoring’ despite having a master’s degree in computing? According to my dictionary, a researcher is a scholar who can, or will in time through learning and experience, demonstrate:

(a). specialized knowledge or expertise, conceptual and intellectual capacities such as the ability to identify and frame key problems, to think critically and analytically, and to generate and communicate interesting and original insights.

(b).  research skills such as the ability to use sources effectively, to gather and organize information, to analyze text, data and theory.

(c). personal attributes such as the ambition and ability to work to high standards, to take initiative and responsibility, to be well organized in one's procedures and balanced in one's judgements, to collaborate well with others where appropriate, and to take on board and incorporate constructive criticism.[1]

 I have all the above so what else?

What qualifies my theory and makes me a notable theorist of the likes of Albert Bandura, Erving Goffman, and Lawrence Kohlberg even though I was born a year after Abraham Maslow’s death? My dictionary says theory is a framework for assumption-based logical reasoning.

Notable theorists of adult Learning and human resource development are Abraham Maslow, Albert Bandura, Donald A. Schon, Donald Kirkpatrick, Eduard C. Lindeman, Edward Lee Thorndike. I have been made to understand that some of them do not even have a master’s degree, so with due respect what makes their theories better than mine other than the fact that they popularise theirs some centuries ago? 

Let me run you through the profiles of just three of the notable theorists; Abraham Maslow’s contributions include the Hierarchy of Needs. He is also considered the founder of Humanistic Psychology. Abraham was born on April 1, 1908. He earned a B.A. in Psychology in 1930 from City College of New York. He earned a M.A. in 1931 from Cornell University In addition, a Ph.D. in 1934 from the University of Wisconsin.

Albert Bandura was born December 4, 1925, in the small town of Mundare in northern Alberta, Canada. He received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia in 1949. He went on to the University of Iowa, where he received his Ph.D. in 1952

Edward Lee Thorndike, was born in Williamsburg, Aug. 31, 1874, he was a major figure in several fields of psychology: learning theory, applied psychology, and mental measurement. [2] But he does not have a master’s degree.

Will the heavens fall if we include Dele Oluwole in the list of the notable theorists the world has ever known thus; “Dele Oluwole was born August --, 19--, in the small and beautiful town of Mushin in northern Mushin Olosha LGA of  Lagos. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the famous University of Staffordshire England in 200-. He made the U-turn of a life time when he bagged an MSc in computing from Staffordshire University England, but he’s still working on his PhD in human anatomy and snoring therapy”. Will anybody question the audacity behind this encomium? After all charity they say begins at home, even though prophet has no honour except among his own kindred. Whether you like it or not I am a researcher plenipotentiary ……… ‘omo wa ni eje ose’.

My research into snoring is interesting because I have been able to collate primary and secondary data on instances where spouses slept in separate rooms in the house as a result of snoring just to avoid the other. My best friend’s wife vacated their room for the guest room the third day into their married life only for the husband to discover a month later that she snores like a rickety ‘Molue’ approaching the busy ‘eko idumota’ bus terminus. And to put salt on injury my friend made the discovery when they visited me and stayed in the guest room.

Even though no lecturer has agreed to supervise my research I have also discovered in the course of mapping the two snoring hypotheses that many couples are not happy sharing a bed because either spouse snore, even though investigation empirically shows that both of them snore as the research have investigated and postulated that only those who are unhealthily thin and lazy don’t snore.

My year 1997 female friend did not just accept the date that fateful day, we are still together, as my research continued I also discovered that she also like every other normal healthy human being, beautifully and wonderfully created by God does not just snore but treats me to some cat like sounds most night after a busy day at work or cooking at home, although she claimed she snore only when lying on her back but lets leave that to this research conclusion and recommendation that is expected in a few years time.

If you love your partner do not allow snoring to put you asunder and if you will ever want to call it quit because he or she snores, please put a tape recorder by your bed side to record if you snore or not or better still wait for the conclusion/recommendation of this humble and intelligent Nigerian researcher.

References:

1. Port Postgraduate on line Research Training; http://port.igrs.sas.ac.uk/researcher.htm

2. Adult Learning & Human Resources Development Program, (1998-1999, 2000-2002) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: http://www.nvc.vt.edu/alhrd/Theorists/theo~com.htm

Robot  # 1 | 20.04.2007 12:54

Even though my non-capital intensive research is yet non conclusive, I am in no doubt that the UN...Read the full article.

fowler55  # 2 | 20.04.2007 15:02

I believe it should rather be the other way round that you should go for a check up if you snore. Even though about 1 in 2 of us have snored at one point in life, snoring is associated with conditions like aging, obesity, alcohol misuse, abnormal upper respiratory tract and potentially life threatening states like the tongue blocking the airway during sleep and sleep apnoea. You also did not mention any supposed benefits of snoring The people you mentioned ie Bandura, Maslow and Thorndike are renowned learning theorists as you said but i cant recall any relationship with snoring. I must say therefore i dont really get the point of this article

Auspicious  # 3 | 20.04.2007 15:12

Oh no.. Now we have to vote for a President that snores.. (I thought that is all what we care about right about now - soozing a fresident). Auspicious.

ajis15  # 4 | 20.04.2007 15:28

=Auspicious;169951>Oh no.. Now we have to vote for a President that snores.. (I thought that is all what we care about right about now - soozing a fresident). Auspicious. Auspi If his theory is accurate, the snooring president will make the best presi. Unfortunately, we did not and probably will not be able to subject them to a snooring debate, or is it competition.

tonsoyo  # 5 | 20.04.2007 15:59

=Auspicious;169951>Oh no.. Now we have to vote for a President that snores.. (I thought that is all what we care about right about now - soozing a fresident). Auspicious. After 'soozing' the President, then the 'snoring' in ceremony follows.

TEchi  # 6 | 20.04.2007 16:29

People like you who snores doesn't think it's a problem but here are some of the reasons why you snore and what is snoring. You are not snoring because you are confortable but because is wrong. What is snoring? Snoring is noisy breathing through the mouth or nose during sleep. Just about everyone snores occasionally. People snore when they are congested. Even the baby or a beloved pet may snore. Snoring is a problem if: • you stop breathing during sleep and have to wake up to catch your breath, • you are disturbing your sleep partner, or • you are losing sleep because of your snoring. Usually snoring causes sleep loss for both the snorer and their sleep partner. The snorer may wake frequently, either from the snoring or from the jostling to stop the snoring. The sleep partner has trouble sleeping deeply because of the snoring noise, plus anxiety about their partner’s health and well-being. This sleep deprivation has consequences during the day: sleepiness, irritability, and lack of productivity. In addition to problems stemming from sleep deprivation, snoring can cause more serious health problems. Snoring has been linked to increased risk of stroke; diabetes; high blood pressure; and heart disease. Snoring can also be a symptom of sleep apnea (see Helpguide's Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment). Relationships often suffer as a result of snoring. The sleep partner of a snorer may resort to sleeping in a separate room, which changes the dynamics of bedtime. Snoring thus affects the physical and social intimacies of a relationship. The snorer feels isolated, and both partners are unhappy. Treatments for snoring include medical solutions such as surgery and dental devices, as well as self-help remedies. What is the difference between mild snoring and severe snoring? Snoring is mild if snoring stops when the snorer wakes up and turns over. Severe snoring is continual snoring regardless of sleep position. If you sleep alone, you will find it more difficult to determine if you snore a little or a lot. Some snorers waken themselves with the noise and know that they snore. Other snorers are awakened by annoyed neighbors in nearby apartments banging on the wall in the middle of the night. If you wake in the morning and do not feel rested after a reasonable number of hours of sleep, you may wish to see a doctor and get tested at a sleep clinic for snoring. If you think you snore, Take the Snore Test! What is the difference between snoring and sleep apnea? Snoring is a loud sound that a person makes as they breathe during sleep. Sleep apnea is a true breathing obstruction, which requires the sleeper to awaken to begin breathing again. A person with sleep apnea wakes up many times a night to regain breathing, but usually remembers nothing at all about the awakenings. The sleep partner of a person with sleep apnea usually remembers the awakenings and is generally a good witness of the incidents. Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but snoring by itself does not involve the cessation of breathing. What are the social ramifications of snoring? The constant sleep disruption and excessive tiredness caused by noisy snoring often creates relationship problems. Sleep partners of heavy snorers awaken over twenty times per hour, which severely cuts into the quality and quantity of their sleep. The partner may try to stop the other person’s snoring, or they may simply lie awake wishing they were asleep. Many partners of snorers decide to sleep in separate rooms, and the resulting lack of bedtime chatting and physical intimacy can lead to a strained relationship. The snorer often becomes isolated and frustrated about a problem they seemingly have no control over. What are the health effects of snoring? Severe snoring causes sleep deprivation for both the snorer and the sleeping partner. The effects of sleep deprivation are: • Daytime sleepiness • A compromised immune system and slower healing • Poor mental and emotional health • Lack of smooth functioning of the body • Decreased productivity • A negative mood • Low energy • Unclear thinking • Slower reaction time In addition, snoring causes reduced oxygen flow to the brain, which can lead to • Premature death • Type II diabetes • High blood pressure • Hypertension • Stroke • Heart disease Chronic snorers are often middle-aged and overweight, and snoring may indicate a more serious underlying medical problem. Snoring can also be a symptom of sleep apnea, which is life-threatening (see Helpguide's Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment). If you are a severe snorer, see a doctor so you can rule out any serious health problems that are a result of or a cause of the snoring. What are the causes of snoring? Sleep and relaxation go hand in hand. During deep sleep, the muscles in the body relax, and as the muscles in the throat relax, the airway partly closes. This is normal. Air comes into and out of the lungs through this airway. However, if the air flow in the throat and nose is obstructed, the air passage is narrowed, which causes snoring. Snoring is the fluttering sound created by the vibrations of tissues against each other in the back of the throat and nose. The tissues obstructing the airway and vibrating against each other can be the soft palate, the throat, the uvula, the tonsils, or the adenoids. (The soft palate is the soft part of the roof of the mouth.)

John.D  # 7 | 21.04.2007 05:57

I read with interest your article, if you don't have money to do your research you could have used the medium to beg, rather, all you wrote about is laughable. There will be a big question mark the end result of your research, which you have refused to tell us those involved, probably you need to work as a volunteer at the sleep clinic, this might give you an insight into this condition, even my great granfather would give a plausable explanation to why it is good or not to snore. So pls. don't go out telling people you are a researcher.