THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY

FOR

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS

RESEARCH PAPER

Created to fulfill assignment of English for Academic Purposes 102 subject

By:

1. Ahmad Hidayatullah : FST-2014330002

2. Dhaniar Meuthia Rani : FoB-2014210011

3. Lutfi Hidayat : FST-2014360006

Lecturer:

Winnie

SAMPOERNA UNIVERSITY

JAKARTA

2015

i

Foreword

This researh paper made as final project of English as Academic Purpose 2, taking a

research topic of how effective the Science laboratory in Sampoerna University support

students’ learning process considering it is not just for academic purpose but for some examples

of potential policy implications. The content of these papers are designed to be an input into an

area of Science laboratory facilities. In this case, a contribution to the Science laboratory of

Sampoerna University board to do several improvement in facilities side.

The topic taken is carefully chosen to address needs of Science laboratory that if not

immediate, will necesarily be so tomorrow. The intent is that the paper supports an infomed

discussion and leads towards improvements of Science laboratory in Sampoerna University.

This paper was produced by a team which is consist of three strudents. They are Ahmad

Hidayatullah, Dhaniar Meuthia Rani, and Lutfi Hidayat.

Jakarta, May 18 2015,

Paper Team

ii

Table of Content

Tittle ........................................................................................................................................... i

Foreword ................................................................................................................................... ii

Table of Content ...................................................................................................................... iii

Abstract and Acknowledgment ............................................................................................ iv

CHAPTER I: Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1

1. Background ................................................................................................................ 1

CHAPTER II: Objective ......................................................................................................... 3

2. Aim ............................................................................................................................ 3

CHAPTER III: Method ........................................................................................................... 4

3.1. Method .................................................................................................................... 4

3.2. Data Collection ....................................................................................................... 4

3.2.1. Questionnaire ........................................................................................... 4

3.2.2. Study Literature ....................................................................................... 4

3.3. Location and Correspondent ................................................................................... 5

CHAPTER IV: Result and Discussion ................................................................................... 6

4.1. Result ...................................................................................................................... 6

4.1.1. The Importance of Science Laboratory .................................................... 6

4.1.2. The Effectiveness of The Facilities ......................................................... 6

4.1.3. The Improvement Concern ..................................................................... 7

4.2 Discussion/Analysis ................................................................................................. 7

4.2.1. The Importance of Science Laboratory ................................................... 7

4.2.2. The Effectiveness of The Facilities ......................................................... 8

4.2.3. The Improvement Concern ..................................................................... 9

CHAPTER V: Conclusion and Suggestion .......................................................................... 11

5.1. Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 11

5.2. Suggestion ............................................................................................................. 11

References ............................................................................................................................... 13

Appendix ................................................................................................................................. 14

Members Information ........................................................................................................... 16

iii

ABSTRACT

Science laboratory is a place to the people to do Science experimental. Science

laboratory hold the very crucial role for scientist to do the research activity for proving the

Science theory into practical effort. Besides for the scientist, Science laboratory also has

important role to the students especially for Faculty of Science and Technology students which

actively learn in Science aspect. Students are figuring out what scientist do which proving the

theory into practical effort. Moreover, Science laboratory is a place for student to learn how

Science interact with daily life. Through the experimental and practicum, students figuring out

those things to be real. Consequently, Science laboratory become one of the most important

part for Faculty of Science and Technology students to learn the courses completely. As the

result of that, this paper aimed to analyze the importance of Science laboratory to the students

and analyze the ideal Science laboratory for international level.

Keywords: Science laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, practicum, experimental,

theory.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We wish to thank to Mrs. Winnie for many helps regarding in completing this paper.

Second, we would to thank much for another group’s suggestion who make correction to our

paper.

Finally, thanks to all group members that already did hard work to contribute for the projec it.

iv

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1. Background

Science laboratory is the place where students can perfom researches in Science and

technology. This place is required for students who majoring in Science. The scientist believed

that the laboratory is such significant place to implemented the soft skill into practical skill.

The laboratory has given a central and specific role in Science education. It proved by the

scientist that there will be many benefits from laboratory activities. Laboratory instruction

would give the training in observation, provide the specific information, and enlarge students’

interest (Blosser, n.d.).

The laboratory generally has many advantages for students in developing their ideas. In

here, the students can explore related to the material given in the class. Moreover, the material

that not understandable for students theoretically, it could be figure out into experimental

activities that will help students more understand. Since the students only get the theoretical

material in the class, laboratory become the best place for students to transform the theories in

to real activities for giving a proof and philosophy based on the practical method. Furthermore,

the students also learn how to make scientific argument writing from the experiments.

According to Blosser (n.d.) the laboratory may lead students to understand the nature of

Science and among the various diciplines of Science.

Good Science laboratory define when the laboratory fulfil the standard requirement of

laboratory such as equipments or tools, specialized types, and the safety. Laboratory

equipments refers to the numerous instruments that used for scientists working in the

laboratory. According to the Quizlet (2015) the insruments of laboratory include goggles,

Bunsen burner, graduated cylinder, spot plate, pipet bulb, stirring rod, crucible tongs, beaker,

etc. The specialized types mean other facilities outside the equipments that support in

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experiment process, for instance computer lab. Addition, the safety is very important in the

laboratory. The good laboratory has clear information about the materials which include the

content of material and dangerous level. Besides the laboratory must has the procedure for

using the laboratory in secure way for beginner and advance user.

Sampoerna University is one of the International University that use international

education system for learning process. The material given based on the international

requirement and international need. Next, Sampoerna University should have the international

laboratory to support the students learning. According to the LSUS (2014), department

equipment of the international laboratory includes an ultracentrifuge, a high-speed refrigerated

centrifuge, UV-visible spectrophotometers, a fluorescence spectrophotometer, a UPLC

chromatography system, electrophoresis equipment, and a scanning electron microscope. As

the International University, Sampoerna University should fulfil those stuff to have standard

laboratory. Those equipment might available in the Sampoerna University laboratory but in the

limited amount (Sampoerna University, 2015). Sometime students can not do the experiment

activities because the equipments are limited. Meanwhile, the condition can be solve by

dividing the students into some groups.

Sampoerna University has to pay attention to the laboratory condition. The laboratory

should be improve due to the student need for laboratory is very crucial. It will be considerable

for the laboratory to improve in the performance facilities. Therefore knowing the weakness

and strongness of the performance facilities will be the best way to make good improvitation

to the laboratory.

2

CHAPTER II

OBJECTIVE

2. Aim

This research is conducted because of some purposes which to know the influence of

Science laboratory to the students’ learning process. The influence aspects will list down to

know how it can be influencing to the learning process. With the collected data, researchers

will investigate to decide how to make some improvements to the laboratory. The main aim of

the research is to give some possibilities to make a better laboratory performance. The

improvement will appointed based on the existing condition with some additions to the

international laboratory standard. To come up with those ideas, the researchers decided to

define some questions to build up the research paper. Based on the research aim, the researchers

stand for three main questions which are:

1. How many students feel the used of Science laboratory is important to support the

learning process? Why?

2. How effective the facilities of Science laboratory in supporting students learning

process?

3. How to improve the performance of Science laboratory related to student need?

3

CHAPTER III

METHOD

3.1. Method

The researchers used quantitative and qualitative method to collect the data. The

combination between those methods will give the accurate data because the data come

from the correspondent and comparing with the researcher’s analysis. The quantitative

method provide the researchers information based on the condition happen in the field

through the correspondents. Meanwhile the qualitative use the existing journal that give

the information about related data. It will support the information from the correspondent

to make it more accurate.

3.2. Data Collection

3.2.1. Questionnaire

The data were collected by distributing the questionnaire to the

correspondents as the quantitative data. The content of the questionnaire is about

the students’ needs in using Science laboratory. In questionnaire, the researchers

would like to know the effectiveness of Science laboratory regarding to the

learning process. Besides, there are some questions focused to the correspondents’

opinion about the tools in the laboratory and student’s suggestion to improve

Science laboratory to be a better laboratory in the campus.

3.2.2. Study Literature

Besides the questionnaire from the correspondent, the researchers figuring

out the information related to Science laboratory as the qualitative data. The data

are collected from the other research and existing data in form of data analysis.

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By this data, the researchers could analyse the information related to the

international Science laboratory from outside of Sampoerna University comparing

to Science laboratory in Sampoerna University. Furthermore, the researchers

could to define the standard of international Science laboratory based on the

existing information.

3.3. Location and Correspondent

The research take place in the Sampoerna University as the place of the laboratory.

Moreover the correspondent was 40 students of the Sampoerna University who actively

do the activity or study in Sampoerna University. These correspondents were selected

based on the faculty. Because of the problem faced, the researchers decide to take the

correspondent from Faculty of Science and Technology batch 2013 and 2014. The reason

of deciding the correspondent because the researchers focus on students who used

Science laboratory. Besides, the researcher consider for choosing the correspondent

which understand to the laboratory’s condition.

5

CHAPTER IV

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1. Result

Based on the data collected from quantitative and qualitative way, the researchers

get the information related to the research aim. Here the data from the quantitative way

based on the correspondent’s response to the asked issue. The result from questionnaire

given will show in five tables below.

4.1.1. The Importance of Science Laboratory in Supporting Learning Process

Table below explain the correspondent’s response related the importance of

Science laboratory.

Table 1

No. Question Yes No No Response

1. Have you ever used the Science laboratory? 90% 10% -

2. Is the activity support your learning process? 90% 0% 10%

Table 2

No. Question Response

Total

Response No

response

3. What kind of activity

you did in the

Science laboratory?

Practicum

80%

Other

3%

83% 17%

4.1.2. The Effectiveness of The Facilities in Science Laboratory

Table below explain the correspondent’s response related the effectiveness

of the tools and material in the Science laboratory.

Table 3

No. Question Yes No No Response

1. Are there any existing features/tools in the Science laboratory

that does not support the activity?

52% 39% 9%

6

Table 4

No. Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2.

In scale 1-10, what scale do

you agree for the quality of

Science Laboratory? 0 4% 0 4% 7%

30

%

26

%

21

% 4% 4%

4.1.3. The Improvement Concern of Science Laboratory

Table below explain the correspondent’s response related the suggestion of

the improvement facilities in Science laboratory.

Table 5

No. Question Response

Total

Response No

response

1. Are there any

additional concerns

regarding to

improvement of

Science laboratory?

Could you mention

it?

a. Add advanced tools and technology

b. More equipment

c. Allowance to use use Science laboratory even

not in class schedule for example for

competition and project

d. Digitilize some tools

e. The room with more space

f. Apparatus arrangement

g. Instruction

h. Safety guideline

i. Provide wi-fi connection

83% 17%

4.2. Discussion/Analysis

4.2.1. The Importance of Science Laboratory

From the questions survey, show that the Faculty of Science and Technology

students who use Science laboratory at Sampoerna University, there are 90% over

the amount of the students. It proved that role of Science laboratory is very important

for students. There are up to 90% from Faculty of Science and Technology students

have ever used the Science laboratory. The rest of students said no because they use

computer laboratory not Science laboratory. Besides the students feel that the role of

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Science laboratory is very crucial. It proved by the correspondent’s response show

up to 90% said the Science laboratory support the learning process.

Addition, most of the students use the Science laboratory to have practicum

activities. It tells that the activities in the Science laboratory really support the

learning process for students in Faculty of Science and Technology. Moreover, since

the course need some experiments, the laboratory class is such a mandatory place

for students to complete the course. According to the Hofstein & Lunetta (2003), the

function of the Science laboratory is as the place for students to take rich benefits

from their experiment and applying the theory to the practical effort. This theory also

proved by existing research that told the purpose of using a particular laboratory in

the learning support. Such as laboratory activity that lead the way of organized

activity, how the activity fits in to the unit of works, and how the activity is intended

to result in planned student learning (Hart, Mulhall, Berry, Loughran, & Gustone,

2000).

4.2.2. The Effectiveness of The Facilities in Science Laboratory

In the other data show that the correspondents state of Science laboratory’s

facilities are not good enough. The opinion come from the related students that

frequently use the facilities. The students said that there are some facilities that does

not support student’s activity. It can be define because lack of tool or there is no tool

for the related activity. Those can be support by the half from the total of

correspondent that use the tools in Science laboratory. The students said that the

tools is quite good and complete, but still some tools are not enough if compared

with the number of the students. It means that the Science laboratory have to improve

8

the tools because the students said that the laboratory lack of the particular tool which

very important to laboratory activity.

Besides, the researcher also asked for the quality of the Science laboratory in

the scale from 1-10. As the result, the correspondent give various scale that show the

difference perspective from them. There are three highest scale given by the

correspondent. The scale is about 6-8 which has up to 20% from the amount of the

correspondent. But, there is one scale that completely has the highest agreement

which is 6.

Moreover the result shows that the quality of Science laboratory in Sampoerna

University really need to get attention since the result is dominant in scale 6. It means

the quality of the Science laboratory need to have some improvement. There are so

much things have to be improved to make the Science laboratory has international

standard since the Sampoerna University is an international university level. It

should be able to compete with other Science laboratory in the international level.

But, there some correspondent that think the quality of the laboratory is quite good.

It means the laboratory has a chance to make another correspondent to in same

agreement through some improvement that they need.

4.2.3. The Improvement Concern of Science Laboratory

From the total correspondent who response the survey, the researcher get up to

83% responses. The researchers give the question about the additional concern

regarding to improvement of Science laboratory. As the result, the answers are so

various such as: Add advanced tools and technology, more equipment, allowance to

use Science laboratory outside the class to have experiment for competition and

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project, digitalize some tools, increase the room space, good apparatus arrangement,

safety guideline, and provide Wi-Fi connection.

It show what the crucial things that the correspondent need more. There some

of the important tools that should be exist to make the laboratory activities running

well. Consequently, the researcher give the placed to the correspondents to speak up

with their suggestion related to the improvement of Science laboratory of Sampoerna

Univesity. Next, the researchers can get the suggestions and record it to be an urgent

inventory that must be completed. With the variety result as above, the researcher

can define what things have to complete in the Science laboratory. The researcher

also create a mapping of the suggestion list so it can help Head of Science Laboratory

Management to upgrade the things needed.

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CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

5.1. Conclusion

From the data result shows that 90% of Faculty of Science and Technology students

have been used the Science laboratory. It means that 36 of correspondents over the total

40 students from Faculty of Science and Technology used the laboratory for learning

purpose. Mostly, students use the laboratory for the lab work. Meanwhile, the rest 10% of

them have not been used the Science laboratory because they do not take the courses that

related to Science laboratory. On the other hand, there are 52% of correspondents said the

facilities that being provided is still inadequate, 39% said the facilities are adequate, and

9% showed no response from the correspondents. 9% correspondent cannot contribute

their response because they leave the question blank. Researcher assumed that the

correspondent does not has idea to the question asked. Besides, researcher also found 17%

correspondent does not give any suggestion to the laboratory improvement. But the

researcher get up to 83% correspondent response for the improvement. From this data, the

researchers found that the Science laboratory board need to improve the facilities in the

laboratory in order to optimise the students learning process. Because the Science

laboratory has important role to the students learning process.

5.2. Suggestion

To improve the facilities in the laboratory, the Science laboratory board have to

know which aspects need to be improved. The correspondents suggest that the first aspects

need to be improved is in the amount of laboratory’s tools or equipments. They said that

the tools or equipments that being provided is still inadequate. The consequent of

inadequate tools give impact to the students in the laboratory activities. The consequent

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could be coming from the use of time. It take more time to use the tools because the total

of the students is greater than the amounts of tools. Beside the amount of the tools, the

students also need an advance technology in doing the lab work.

Apart from that, the other suggestion is the safety guideline. Students need a clear

guideline in using the tools to keep safe. In addition, according to international standard

of laboratory, the room space in Sampoerna University’s Science laboratory is still narrow.

The students need more space for the laboratory because to make it more tidy and to make

a space between storage and lab work table. Besides, in the Science laboratory the Wi-Fi

connection has slow connection. To support learning process of the students in the

laboratory, the improvement of Wi-Fi hotspot or connection is needed. The Wi-Fi

connection is needed by the students because it will help them in finding a reference and

the theory in doing lab work.

Out of the facilities of the Science laboratory, the students need the allowance of

using the laboratory outside of the class schedule. The purposs of using laboratory outside

the class could be from some research competition which need the accessibility to the

laboratory, project, and some experiments. By giving the flexible allowance or permission,

the students could improve and develop their skill in doing their activities related to the

Science laboratory.

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REFERENCES

Blosser, P. E. (n.d.). The Role of The Laboratory in Science Teaching. Retrieved from

NARST: https://www.narst.org/publications/research/labs.cfm

LSUS. (2014). LSUS SHREVEPORT. Retrieved from LSUS SHREVEPORT Web Site:

http://www.lsus.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-Sciences/school-of-mathematics-

and-Sciences/department-of-biological-Sciences

Quizlet. (2015). Quizlet Corporation. Retrieved from Quizlet Corporation Web Site:

http://quizlet.com/13633713/lab-equipment-names-and-pictures-flash-cards/

Sampoerna University. (2015). Laboratory Equipment. Jakarta: Sampoerna University.

Hart, C., Mulhall, P., Berry, A., Loughran, J., & Gustone, R. (2000). What is the Purpose of

this Experiment? Or Can Students Learn Something from Doing Experiment?

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, 655-675.

Hofstein, A., & Lunetta, V. N. (2003, January 25). The Laboratory in Science Educations:

Foundations for Twenty-First Century.

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APPENDIX

14

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MEMBERS INFORMATION

Hi! I am Ahmad Hidayatullah, originally I come from Palembang, I

went to Sampoerna Academy Palembang. I was born in Palembang

May, 14th 1996. Right now I become one of the students in

Sampoerna University. In this university I take Mobile

Communication Technology as my major. Besides in university life,

I am active in several organization internal and external such as:

Lembaga Dakwah Kampus, Japaness Club, and Swayanaka. I hope

this research paper will help a lot for your references.

She was born in Bandung on 25 July 1996. Even though she was born

in Bandung, she is an Acehnese. Her name is Dhaniar Meuthia Rani.

She is one of the students in Sampoerna University. Currently, she is

in accounting major and in the second semester. Her father comes

from Aceh while her mother comes from Central Java, Wonogiri. She

has a sister named Dita Meuthia Ramadhani. She is in the first year of

junior high school in Banda Aceh. In the university, Dhaniar has been

joining choir, traditional dance (Saman dance), and martial art (Merpati Putih). She has hobbies

in reading fiction books, singing, and dancing.

His name Lutfi Hidayat, usually called by Lutfi. He was born in

Tuban on 14 May 1996. The first child from the marriage between

Tumiati and Sugi Suprapto. He has one sister in the fourth year of

Elementary School. Now, he is a university student which majoring

in Mechanical Engineering at Sampoerna University. Besides, he

also take a dual degree in the Louisiana State University in

Mechanical Engineering because his dream to be a qualified engineer. In the university, Lutfi

has been enrolled in many organizations such as Club, Student Association, and Student Union

of Faculty. Furthermore, he like to do some sports, adventures, and martial arts.

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