Potential Research Topic

Last semester, I took the module SSA2215: The Biophysical Environment of Singapore, and I was appalled at my lack of knowledge of the current environmental problems my country is facing. Having been brainwashed for 24 years, one would think that Singapore is actually still the Clean and Green Lion City that we once were. It is imperative that we get our act together, and actively take part in the conservational efforts that are currently in place. After all, it is one thing to be aware, and another thing all together to be a part of the solution.

For purposes of contextualisation, I have decided to study the attitude of the NUS population towards environmental conservation. If one pays attention to the both the email circulars and the posters that have been put up in campus, one would know that the university is actually actively involved in many conservational efforts. 3 of the initiatives are listed as follows:

1. Save3s: Double-sided printing or electronic submission through IVLE

In conjunction with the launch of SAVE3s campaign, NUSSU SAVE is proud to announce that the Office of Provost for both Undergraduate and Graduate Studies has allowed the submission of all assignments, reports, papers and thesis electronically through IVLE or on double sided print.

2. Zer0Waste: Recycle your unwanted notes after exams

During the examination period, a new pilot project called ZerOWaste will be carried out in MPSH to allow students to recycle used paper. Recycling bins will be placed outside the MPSH exams hall to facilitate this. In addition to this, paper recycling bins will be placed at the various halls' offices during and after the exam period for students to recycle unwanted paper.

3. Rebate2Earth Campaign – Reduce the Use of Plastic Bags on Campus

NUSSU Students Against the Violation of the Earth (NUSSU SAVE), in collaboration with the Office of the Provost, the Campus Sustainability Committee and NUS Co-op, has launched its Rebate2Earth Campaign on Monday 4th February 2008. This means that NUS Co-op will no longer be dispensing free plastic bags for purchases made at its stores. Instead, plastic bags will be available at $0.10 each. The proceeds collected from the sale of plastic bags will be deposited into a coin box at the cashier’s counter and will go towards supporting future environmental projects in NUS.

In this section, I would attempt to give a detailed description of my project proposal.

Research Topic:

To investigate the level of involvement of NUS students in environmental conservation efforts organised by the campus.

Hypothesis:

The majority of NUS students know the existence of conservational efforts that are already in place in the campus, but are choosing not to be involved.

Problem Statement:

The objective of this study is to explore the various approaches which can get NUS students to be interested enough, such that they would be actively involved in the university's environment conservational efforts.

Purpose Statement:

The objective of this research is to inform both staff and students in NUS of the increasing number of students that do not actively participate in the university's environment conservational efforts despite their awareness of campaigns which are already in place. Another objective is to understand the reasons for the laidback attitude that NUS students adopt towards environmental conservation, so that possible measures can be in place to correct this attitude.

Reason(s) for an Attitudinal Survey:

As the attitude of NUS students is of utmost importance in this project, it is clear why an attitudinal survey is mandatory.

*Edited on 8th September 2008 (2200 hours)