'Going Green' is a lifestyle that NUS have been actively propagating, especially in recent years. In the past few decades, the condition of mother Earth has been deteriorating exceptionally fast due to urbanisation. Animals lose their habitats because of deforestation for the production of paper. As such, I feel that much can be done to reduce the cutting down of trees through the recycling of used paper, and this would help to conserve their habitat.
As we know, students use very large quantities of paper simply on the printing of notes. At the end of the semester (after their exams), they just throw their notes into the bin instead of recycling them. This is quite a disturbing trend, but we cannot blame these students as there is no proper and convenient channel for them to recycle such unwanted paper.
Proposition (Research Topic):
Promote a service in campus to collect unwanted paper from students at the end of each semester.
General Research Question:
What do students do with their unwanted papers, and would they welcome such a recycling service if it is provided?
Possible Hypothesis:
Students would like to be an 'Earth-Saving' member by reducing the cutting down of trees through recycling unwanted paper.
This collection point could be run by students (probably NUSSU). There could be a designated point outside the examination halls for students to drop their unwanted notes at, after their exam. The near proximity of the recycling point to the examination would make it convenient for students to dispose of their unwanted paper. In addition, the money recovered from the selling papers to the 'Garang Guni Man' can be used for the needy students.
An attitudinal survey is much needed in this research topic, since the proposed service targets mostly campus students. We can use the survey to find out how students dispose their unwanted notes, raise awareness of what we can do with our unwanted notes and examine if such a service is needed and welcomed by the student body. Also, knowing the views and concerns of the students allows the proposed idea to be refined accordingly. Suggestions derived from the survey also allows necessary changes to be made to better facilitate the needs of students.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Potention Research Project Topics (Week 4)
Posted by Darren at 11:04 PM
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3 comments:
hi,
I think the idea you have proposed is a good one.
It is true, i do not recycle my paper at the end of the semester, but at the end of the semester i usually give pass on my notes to my friends who would be taking the module.
Therefore, I have a suggestion. Why not have a supplementary system to consolidate the notes and then redistribute them to people who want them. This system favours students who stay on campus because its easiler to meet and pass the notes to one another. The leftover of the papers that do not find new owners can then be recycled.
just my 2 cents. ;)
Hi Darren,
I agree with you that more can be and should be done by NUS students to conserve the environment. Recycling the massive amount of notes printed by NUS students every semester would definitely be good. Since the parameter of this topic only involve NUS students, surveys can also be conveniently carried out within campus.
Aside from recycling, I think we can broaden the scope of our research question if it encompasses the reducing and reusing of paper as well. As such, we would be able to reach a better and more complete understanding of what measures should be taken to reduce the wastage of paper in NUS.
Hi Darren
This topic is meaningful. We really have to play a part in saving the Earth.
I realized that NUS has started her ‘Go Green’ campaign. For example, setting up recycle bins and Co-op had stopped giving plastic bags to students. I believe there are more things that we can do. Just like the one you suggested. There are so many students in NUS, the amount of paper we use are definitely A LOT. If we can recycle them, we can save many trees.
I think that your research question should be more focus. Therefore “to find out whether NUS students welcome a recycling service” is good enough.
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