"Corner still recalls how close he got to physical violence in those days, while striving to protect Bukit Timah. His tactic was to distract the illegal wood-cutters by tossing their hats into the undergrowth, while his Malay assistant, Mohd. Noor, would snatch their axes and throw them away too. When the Colonial Secretary received complaints from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce about a strange European harassing Chinese citizens in the forest, Corner had to explain to that their activities there were unacceptable. The Colonial Secretary then replied to the Chamber in writing that the logging was illegal, and wrote to the Gardens to say that Bukit Timah was in effect protected. Thus came the first intimation that Bukit Timah might soon be designated a proper reserve."
A snippet from a book that looks tantalizingly amazing - A View from the Summit, The Story of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve 1996. Published by NTU, NUS, NParks
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
A brief modern history of environmentalism in Singapore
Over the many years since the conception of Singapore, looking at the rate in which we level down hills, clear forested area and reclaimed our coral reefs, one could be forgiven for thinking that the government values economic development over environmental conservation. Reading articles by the Nature Society when it tries to halt the loss of habitats and the often times bleak news about the state of the environment in the newspaper, further strengthens this view.
However, I have a new view of the government as I sit amongst books, proposals, survey findings etc. about the governments many efforts to promote environmentalism in Singapore, here in the library. They were interested to measure Singaporean's understanding and attitudes about environmentalism and to educate the general public about green issues. Though the emphasis on brown issues is considerably smaller, they are still there in black and white on these manuscripts.
Here on my lap are survey findings about the Environment Protection Campaign. The Ministry of Environment had commissioned these consultancies to test whether Singaporeans are aware of the Clean and Green campaign, whether there has been any effect on their attitudes and behaviour, whether they were aware of the main environmental issues. These were done in the early 1900s, probably an age I was too young to remember the details, though I remember the cute frog picture on the dustbin telling me to use it.
I recently read an old article about how the NUS marine biology lab was asked to survey the waters off Bedok river, to test if the release of affluent from sewage negatively affected the water quality and the diversity and abundance of the sea creatures living there. And there was an Interfaculty Conference On Environmental Issues In Development and Conservation organised by the School of Building and Estate Management in NUS in 1993. In this conference, many professors from different faculties such as School of Architecture, Department of Geography, Department of Botany shared their opinions about development and conservation in Singapore. I am also very impressed that Dr. Ho Hua Chew, the head of the Nature Society's conservation committee was from the Department of Philosophy.
The Green Plan is actually very impressive to me, that our leaders had the forsight to develop Singapore into an "environment city" despite the many constraints a small city like ours might have. The new Singapore Green Plan 2012 has a new slogan as well: Beyond Clean and Green, towards Environmental Sustainability.
Even more amazing I believe are the many many individuals ranging from professors to the common man who could appreciate the beauty and the treasure trove of wildlife that we have here in Singapore. These are the unsung heroes who spearheaded nature conservation in Singapore. Their legacy lives on in many books, many proposals for conservation, many societies that were formed and most significantly in the lives of the people now who continue this passionate act of love for nature now. Whether one has the influence to write a journal article to impact many at once from far, or the influence to educate fellow Singapores about the biodiversity hidden in many areas of our concrete jungle at close proximity, it does not matter. I wish to salute you all for the work that you have done and are doing.
This is a very brief glimpse into a very recent past. It's very incomplete (due to time constraints), but very interesting, isn't it?
However, I have a new view of the government as I sit amongst books, proposals, survey findings etc. about the governments many efforts to promote environmentalism in Singapore, here in the library. They were interested to measure Singaporean's understanding and attitudes about environmentalism and to educate the general public about green issues. Though the emphasis on brown issues is considerably smaller, they are still there in black and white on these manuscripts.
Here on my lap are survey findings about the Environment Protection Campaign. The Ministry of Environment had commissioned these consultancies to test whether Singaporeans are aware of the Clean and Green campaign, whether there has been any effect on their attitudes and behaviour, whether they were aware of the main environmental issues. These were done in the early 1900s, probably an age I was too young to remember the details, though I remember the cute frog picture on the dustbin telling me to use it.
I recently read an old article about how the NUS marine biology lab was asked to survey the waters off Bedok river, to test if the release of affluent from sewage negatively affected the water quality and the diversity and abundance of the sea creatures living there. And there was an Interfaculty Conference On Environmental Issues In Development and Conservation organised by the School of Building and Estate Management in NUS in 1993. In this conference, many professors from different faculties such as School of Architecture, Department of Geography, Department of Botany shared their opinions about development and conservation in Singapore. I am also very impressed that Dr. Ho Hua Chew, the head of the Nature Society's conservation committee was from the Department of Philosophy.
The Green Plan is actually very impressive to me, that our leaders had the forsight to develop Singapore into an "environment city" despite the many constraints a small city like ours might have. The new Singapore Green Plan 2012 has a new slogan as well: Beyond Clean and Green, towards Environmental Sustainability.
Even more amazing I believe are the many many individuals ranging from professors to the common man who could appreciate the beauty and the treasure trove of wildlife that we have here in Singapore. These are the unsung heroes who spearheaded nature conservation in Singapore. Their legacy lives on in many books, many proposals for conservation, many societies that were formed and most significantly in the lives of the people now who continue this passionate act of love for nature now. Whether one has the influence to write a journal article to impact many at once from far, or the influence to educate fellow Singapores about the biodiversity hidden in many areas of our concrete jungle at close proximity, it does not matter. I wish to salute you all for the work that you have done and are doing.
This is a very brief glimpse into a very recent past. It's very incomplete (due to time constraints), but very interesting, isn't it?
Writing the Paper
"A paper on a scientific or technical subject necessarily consists of (a) a report of facts, (b) an interpretation of facts, or (c) a combination of a report and an interpretation.
"A scientific paper is intended to be studied and used as a reference; it is not merely to be read. Hence literary devices should be subordinated if they interfere with clearness. The plan should be self-evident throughout the composition."
The materials and methods will need to be able to provide details that enable future researchers to repeat the methodology.
Title (brevity and comprehensiveness)
Abstract (a brief condensation of the whole paper)
Introduction
A) Nature of the problem; its state at the beginning of the investigation
B) Purpose, scope, and method of the investigation.
C) Most significant outcome of the investigation; the state of t he problem at the end of the investigation.
Materials and Methods
A) Description of the equipment and materials employed.
B) Explanation of the way in which the work was done. (Give sufficient detail to enable a competent worker to repeat your experiments. Emphasize the features that are new.)
Experiments and results
A) Description of the experiments.
B) Description of the results. (If possible, these should be shown in tables and graphs.)
Discussion of results
A)Main principles, causal relations, or generalizations that are shown by the results. (Choose one or several main conclusions that your evidence tends to prove.)
B) Evidence (as shown by the data) for each of the main conclusions.
C) Exceptions and opposing theories, and explanation of these.
D) Comparison of your results and interpretations with those of other workers.
From: How to Write Scientific and Technical Papers by Sam F. Trelease (1958) The M. I. T. Press
"A scientific paper is intended to be studied and used as a reference; it is not merely to be read. Hence literary devices should be subordinated if they interfere with clearness. The plan should be self-evident throughout the composition."
The materials and methods will need to be able to provide details that enable future researchers to repeat the methodology.
Title (brevity and comprehensiveness)
Abstract (a brief condensation of the whole paper)
Introduction
A) Nature of the problem; its state at the beginning of the investigation
B) Purpose, scope, and method of the investigation.
C) Most significant outcome of the investigation; the state of t he problem at the end of the investigation.
Materials and Methods
A) Description of the equipment and materials employed.
B) Explanation of the way in which the work was done. (Give sufficient detail to enable a competent worker to repeat your experiments. Emphasize the features that are new.)
Experiments and results
A) Description of the experiments.
B) Description of the results. (If possible, these should be shown in tables and graphs.)
Discussion of results
A)Main principles, causal relations, or generalizations that are shown by the results. (Choose one or several main conclusions that your evidence tends to prove.)
B) Evidence (as shown by the data) for each of the main conclusions.
C) Exceptions and opposing theories, and explanation of these.
D) Comparison of your results and interpretations with those of other workers.
From: How to Write Scientific and Technical Papers by Sam F. Trelease (1958) The M. I. T. Press
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
How to Be a Statistics Sleuth: Seven Critical Components (Utts 2005)
Component 1: The source of the research and of the funding
Component 2: The researchers who had contact with the participants
Component 3: The individuals or objects studied and how they were selected
Component 4: The exact nature of the measurements made or questions asked
Component 5: The setting in which the measurements were taken
Component 6: Differences in the groups being compared, in addition to the factor of interest
Component 7: The extent or size of any claimed effects or differences
---
Now, let's analyze my project with these seven components!
Component 1: NUS DBS Plant Systematics Laboratory, with honest motivations, seeking honest results.
Component 2: Assoc Prof Hugh T. W. Tan appealed to students to do the survey during his SSS1207 – Natural Heritage of Singapore class on the 21st of February 2008. A possible biased would be the influence the researcher might have on the participants, as participants are more likely to answer according to the desires of the researcher. Therefore having a conservation biologist conduct the survey would perhaps have some effect on the students.
Component 3: It is possible that students taking this module, do so, because they like nature, or have an interest to learn more about it. Hence, this sample selected is biased, and it would not be representative of the undergraduate student population in NUS.
Component 4: Some students avoided revealing their family income and religion and left blanks here and there. The questions asked were related to behaviour, attitude, knowledge and demographics.
Component 5: Survey was conducted before break time. Students might have been tired and rushing to finish the survey in order to have time to visit the toilet or get some food. This might have affected the quality of answers. But students overall appeared very cooperative.
Component 6 is not applicable.
Component 7 would be discussed in time to come.
Reference:
Utts, J. M. 2005. Seeing Through Statistics. Third Edition. Brooks/Cole
Component 2: The researchers who had contact with the participants
Component 3: The individuals or objects studied and how they were selected
Component 4: The exact nature of the measurements made or questions asked
Component 5: The setting in which the measurements were taken
Component 6: Differences in the groups being compared, in addition to the factor of interest
Component 7: The extent or size of any claimed effects or differences
---
Now, let's analyze my project with these seven components!
Component 1: NUS DBS Plant Systematics Laboratory, with honest motivations, seeking honest results.
Component 2: Assoc Prof Hugh T. W. Tan appealed to students to do the survey during his SSS1207 – Natural Heritage of Singapore class on the 21st of February 2008. A possible biased would be the influence the researcher might have on the participants, as participants are more likely to answer according to the desires of the researcher. Therefore having a conservation biologist conduct the survey would perhaps have some effect on the students.
Component 3: It is possible that students taking this module, do so, because they like nature, or have an interest to learn more about it. Hence, this sample selected is biased, and it would not be representative of the undergraduate student population in NUS.
Component 4: Some students avoided revealing their family income and religion and left blanks here and there. The questions asked were related to behaviour, attitude, knowledge and demographics.
Component 5: Survey was conducted before break time. Students might have been tired and rushing to finish the survey in order to have time to visit the toilet or get some food. This might have affected the quality of answers. But students overall appeared very cooperative.
Component 6 is not applicable.
Component 7 would be discussed in time to come.
Reference:
Utts, J. M. 2005. Seeing Through Statistics. Third Edition. Brooks/Cole
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
protocol problems
If I could start all over again...
I would first seek the Statistician's advise and also the Social Scientist's advise before proceeding any further to plan and conduct a survey.
I would not be so short-sighted as to forget human emotions, human favors and the most humane way of doing things. For example, I no longer needed to survey Prof. Bernard Tan's and Dr. Pow's lecture classes anymore, but I should have still done it after they have agreed to it. Such that I will not make myself and my department and my Professor look stupid and also lose credibility.
I would be more realistic and less idealistic about completing tasks. This is one of my weakness, I have such great faith in things that do not warrant my faith at all.
I will not be a scaredy cat but to be more brave and manage my image less, so as not to miss out on opportunities to ask questions and to learn.
In a short span of a week, we visited Prof. Chua Tin Chiu, a very kind and humorous Professor who shared many anecdotes and advise on sampling. We decided not to survey the 2 lecture classes anymore. We decided to generate a list of the whole undergraduate population and pick a random sample of 5000 to email them. And then, we decided not to do it anymore and just take the results of the one class which I managed to perform the survey on, my own SSS1207 class.
In a short span of 2 days, with a little help from my friends, we got all the data into the excel file and I passed over the baton to Xingli, my mentor to analyze.
It has been a strange journey.
I am indebted to Prof. Bernard Tan and Dr. Pow. They have been so kind, so patient and so generous towards me. I must remember to wish them a Happy Christmas at the end of the year.
I am also very grateful for my Professor and mentors for their patience and care for a very inexperienced, very slow and not-so-smart student.
I would first seek the Statistician's advise and also the Social Scientist's advise before proceeding any further to plan and conduct a survey.
I would not be so short-sighted as to forget human emotions, human favors and the most humane way of doing things. For example, I no longer needed to survey Prof. Bernard Tan's and Dr. Pow's lecture classes anymore, but I should have still done it after they have agreed to it. Such that I will not make myself and my department and my Professor look stupid and also lose credibility.
I would be more realistic and less idealistic about completing tasks. This is one of my weakness, I have such great faith in things that do not warrant my faith at all.
I will not be a scaredy cat but to be more brave and manage my image less, so as not to miss out on opportunities to ask questions and to learn.
In a short span of a week, we visited Prof. Chua Tin Chiu, a very kind and humorous Professor who shared many anecdotes and advise on sampling. We decided not to survey the 2 lecture classes anymore. We decided to generate a list of the whole undergraduate population and pick a random sample of 5000 to email them. And then, we decided not to do it anymore and just take the results of the one class which I managed to perform the survey on, my own SSS1207 class.
In a short span of 2 days, with a little help from my friends, we got all the data into the excel file and I passed over the baton to Xingli, my mentor to analyze.
It has been a strange journey.
I am indebted to Prof. Bernard Tan and Dr. Pow. They have been so kind, so patient and so generous towards me. I must remember to wish them a Happy Christmas at the end of the year.
I am also very grateful for my Professor and mentors for their patience and care for a very inexperienced, very slow and not-so-smart student.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
An Update
This blog badly needs an update if its purpose is to document my experience of doing a research project!
So far, I have managed to complete creating a 4-pages long questionnaire. Initially it was 8-pages long but with my Professor's help, it was shrunk to half its original length. That is good news for the trees! ;)
I managed to get permission from 3 lecturers to agree to allow me time to conduct my survey during their lessons. These are lecturers who have once taught me before and this I believe made them more compassionate towards me. The lecturers I emailed who have never met me, rejected me due to time constraints and one Statistics Professor rejected me as he disagreed on my methodology.
I learnt the importance of communication, being able to express myself well in English and also to have good written body language. This is actually one weakness I've struggled with since I was a child. English has always been my weakess subject and I have never managed to get the top grade for it. It was something I could never improve as I did not know how to study for it. Reading did not help me much either as I has always been a very avid reader. Prof. suggested writing 15 minutes a day, a proven method which has boosted a fellow student's grades up, which I seriously am considering!
I have photocopied 1000 copies of my survey forms and they lie waiting for their recipients to fill them in.
The next step would be to toughen my skin, take courage and stand firm. I would need perseverance and courage to speak to the whole LT to do my survey, meet the Statistics Professor to ask for help and to meet the tight deadline in the midst of other responsibilities.
This research project has really challenged my timidity and many times I find myself facing my inadequacies and insecurities. Being naturally timid and nervous, it was not easy even approaching my Professor or emailing another, nor am I very used to accepting corrections and criticisms. It was very scary for me today when I had to call a Statistics professor and speak to him over the phone (way more scarier than writing an email).
Though through a phone call, more "body language" can be passed on to the recipient, such as humility, sincerity, understanding, appreciation etc., yet to one like me, it also means the transference of my poor communication ability, my fear and insecurities. So this is something I must actively deal with as I do my research, to continue to improve my communication skills and becoming more confident and courageous.
As you can see, this project is challenging me in many areas, intellectually, socially and emotionally.
So here is a behind the scenes look at what a project such as this entails. I am very grateful for all the help offered to me and the kind understanding by my supervisors.
So far, I have managed to complete creating a 4-pages long questionnaire. Initially it was 8-pages long but with my Professor's help, it was shrunk to half its original length. That is good news for the trees! ;)
I managed to get permission from 3 lecturers to agree to allow me time to conduct my survey during their lessons. These are lecturers who have once taught me before and this I believe made them more compassionate towards me. The lecturers I emailed who have never met me, rejected me due to time constraints and one Statistics Professor rejected me as he disagreed on my methodology.
I learnt the importance of communication, being able to express myself well in English and also to have good written body language. This is actually one weakness I've struggled with since I was a child. English has always been my weakess subject and I have never managed to get the top grade for it. It was something I could never improve as I did not know how to study for it. Reading did not help me much either as I has always been a very avid reader. Prof. suggested writing 15 minutes a day, a proven method which has boosted a fellow student's grades up, which I seriously am considering!
I have photocopied 1000 copies of my survey forms and they lie waiting for their recipients to fill them in.
The next step would be to toughen my skin, take courage and stand firm. I would need perseverance and courage to speak to the whole LT to do my survey, meet the Statistics Professor to ask for help and to meet the tight deadline in the midst of other responsibilities.
This research project has really challenged my timidity and many times I find myself facing my inadequacies and insecurities. Being naturally timid and nervous, it was not easy even approaching my Professor or emailing another, nor am I very used to accepting corrections and criticisms. It was very scary for me today when I had to call a Statistics professor and speak to him over the phone (way more scarier than writing an email).
Though through a phone call, more "body language" can be passed on to the recipient, such as humility, sincerity, understanding, appreciation etc., yet to one like me, it also means the transference of my poor communication ability, my fear and insecurities. So this is something I must actively deal with as I do my research, to continue to improve my communication skills and becoming more confident and courageous.
As you can see, this project is challenging me in many areas, intellectually, socially and emotionally.
So here is a behind the scenes look at what a project such as this entails. I am very grateful for all the help offered to me and the kind understanding by my supervisors.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Insensitivity towards Ah Meng
I was really amused and disappointed by a short forum letter found on the newspaper on Wednesday, 13th of February. A reader wrote in his fears that Ah Meng's decomposing body, being buried near the Seletar Reservoir, would contaminate the water supply.
I felt that this was a very very insensitive letter. Many people are saddened about Ah Meng's death, so many attended her funeral. It is extremely untimely to be thinking about something like this during this period and even writing to the forum to aggravate grieving people.
I'm amazed that the forum editor allowed it to go through.
This really shows how little people understand about the cycle of life but more so their insensitivity towards the feelings of people.
All things must pass away. So do the fishes in the reservoir. So do the birds in the forest surrounding the reservoir. So do the insects and the toads and the plants and the lizards that roam the areas around the reservoir. No one ever complains about their decomposing bodies posing a hazard to the water supply. This is because the organic material will be recycled and become detritus and nutrients to sustain many cycles and food chains. Why is it that Ah Meng's body is special and must be brought up to the attention of Straits Times readers? And I believe, Ah Meng's body was placed in a coffin, like a proper burial would have.
Lim Bo Seng is also buried near MacRitchie reservoir. I wonder if some people worry about it as well.
Just food for thought. I did not know such a short and tiny letter would stimulate such great reaction in me.
I felt that this was a very very insensitive letter. Many people are saddened about Ah Meng's death, so many attended her funeral. It is extremely untimely to be thinking about something like this during this period and even writing to the forum to aggravate grieving people.
I'm amazed that the forum editor allowed it to go through.
This really shows how little people understand about the cycle of life but more so their insensitivity towards the feelings of people.
All things must pass away. So do the fishes in the reservoir. So do the birds in the forest surrounding the reservoir. So do the insects and the toads and the plants and the lizards that roam the areas around the reservoir. No one ever complains about their decomposing bodies posing a hazard to the water supply. This is because the organic material will be recycled and become detritus and nutrients to sustain many cycles and food chains. Why is it that Ah Meng's body is special and must be brought up to the attention of Straits Times readers? And I believe, Ah Meng's body was placed in a coffin, like a proper burial would have.
Lim Bo Seng is also buried near MacRitchie reservoir. I wonder if some people worry about it as well.
Just food for thought. I did not know such a short and tiny letter would stimulate such great reaction in me.
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