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THE EXTEND OF IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY AND BEST PRACTICES IN BIOLOGY LABORATORY AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LAFIA METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

This study seeks to find out the Extend of Implementation of Safety and Best practices in Biology Laboratory among Secondary School Students in Lafia Metropolis. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. A Descriptive survey research design was employed and a purposive sampling technique was adopted to arrive at 250 respondents. A Structured questionnaire with twenty-six (26) items and also interview, observation and review of school records was used as instrument of data collection. A statistical mean score tool was adopted to analyze the data been collected. The findings of this research revealed that, some of the fittings, designs and safety equipments in our biology laboratory are not suited for safety. It also revealed that students are not aware and do not observe safety practices which in return is hazardous to their safety in the laboratory. The study concludes that, to ensure the safety of all laboratory users and also that for all laboratory design, fitting and equipments to be geared towards maintaining safety in the laboratory, there is an urgent attention needed. The study recommends among others that, students should be educated on the observance of safety practices and also that school authority and government should ensure that the needed fittings design and safety equipment are supplied to the biology laboratories to ensure safety of laboratory users.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study     –           –           –           –           –           1

1.2       Statement of the Problem     –           –           –           –           –           3

1.3       Purpose of the Study –           –           –           –           –           –           4

1.4       Significance of the Study      –           –           –           –           –           5

1.5       Scope and Delimitation of the Study           –           –           –           6

1.6       Research Question    –           –           –           –           –           –           6

1.7       Operational Definition of Terms     –           –           –           –           7

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0       Introduction   –           –           –           –           –           –           –           44       

3.1       Research Design        –           –           –           –           –           –           44       

3.2       Area of Study –           –           –           –           –           –           –           45       

3.3       Population of Study  –           –           –           –           –           –           45       

3.4       Sample and Sampling Technique    –           –           –           –           45       

3.5       Instrument for Data Collection       –           –           –           –           46       

3.6       Validation of Instrument      –           –           –           –           –           47       

3.7       Method of Data Collections  –           –           –           –           –           47       

3.8       Method of Data Analysis      –           –           –           –           –           47       

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1       Analysis of Respondent’s Bio-Data –           –           –           –           49       

4.2       Analysis of Research Questions       –           –           –           –           51       

4.3       Discussion of Findings          –           –           –           –           –           54       

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

5.0       Introduction –           –           –           –           –           –           –           56       

5.1       Summary of Findings           –           –           –           –           –           56       

5.2       Conclusions   –           –           –           –           –           –           –           56       

5.3       Recommendations     –           –           –           –           –           –           56

5.4       Limitation of the Study        –           –           –           –           –           57       

5.5       Suggestions for further Study         –           –           –           –           57       

REFERENCE           –           –           –           –           –           –           59       

APPENDIX    –           –           –           –           –           –           –           64       

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

There are different conceptions about sciences as far as different individuals are concerned, some see science as a body of knowledge which others see it not only as composite of codified body of knowledge but also a knowledge getting process.

Aniodoh (2012) defined science as a way of thinking in pursuit of understanding nature, a way of investigating and a body of established knowledge. Science plays a very important role in the development of any nation. Science therefore is very crucial in shaping the way we think, explore and generate and apply knowledge about our environment. Okeke (2007) define science as a systematic ways of obtaining testable, verifiable knowledge about nature and natural occurrences, utilizing careful observations and experimentation.

From the above definitions of science, there is an indication that science is a study. It is anchored and verifiable knowledge, experimentation as a tool. Science is activity oriented; it involves a lot of activities like research, discovery, inventions,experimentation, explorations, hypothesizing etc.

Closely related to science is technology. Technology refers to practical solutions human have fashioned out in respond to their needs or in attempts to solve problems requiring the modification of environment (Okeke 2007). Science and technology have come to be as inseparable twins. Science provides the principles on which most technological advancements rests and similar problems propel scientist into scientific discoveries.

Biology is science that is concerned with life processes. In almost all Nigerian secondary schools, Biology is thought as a subject. The study of Biology should be accomplished with practical activities as it forms the background to the study of a good number of applied science such as Medicine, Agriculture, Pharmacy, Nursing, home science food technology. the emphasis is that the scientific process of hypothesizing, observing, testing, researching, summarizing and concluding is the most fruitful method of teaching Biology. Most of these mentioned activities are being carried out in the laboratory. The interest and learning that result from experimentation type of teaching is superior to and far more exciting than any formal method of teaching science (Ali, 2008). The laboratory thus becomes an important educational medium of disseminating scientific knowledge.A laboratory is often seen as a place where experiments in science are carried out with chemicals, specimens, materials and equipment (Ali,2007).

The Biology laboratory is a room or a building in a school, college etc. where the practical aspect of biology is taught and or conducted. According to Ajayi (2012), a high quality biology laboratory programme enable students (especially biology students in secondary schools) to develop good judgement, self-reliance critical thinking,technical, analytical as well as manipulative skills through personal contact with apparatus and materials.

Clark and Neere (2015) reported that laboratories are potentially “dangerous” place and only constant vigilance is and efficient working techniques (including safety and best practices) by all those using them can ensure that accident do not occur. A laboratory needs to be well organized so that a climate for investigating scientific concepts will exist. Such a climate can ensures that the laboratory is safe for those using it. According to Bryd (2004) any curriculum established on the needs of the child must inevitably give attention to field of safety or be guilty of neglecting learning experience of the greatest possible significance.

According to Bryd (2004), few accident in the laboratory can be attributed to carelessness chance amount for 85% of much  injuries and fatalities. The student when using the laboratory has the obligation to protect his/herself and others, the teachers on their own part have to indicate safety and best practices knowledge into their students so that they can develop a philosophy of safety that emphasizes positive rather than negative habits. Theimportant of safety measures (and of course, best practices) in every activities of an individual cannot be over emphasized (Hornby,2014).

1.2       Statement of the Problem

The inclusion of laboratory experience in the teaching and learning of biology brought the question of safety of both staff and students during practical work.

 In most Nigerian schools, in both rural and urban area including Lafia metropolis, laboratories have been sited without safety considerations. As an overriding factor in the design and construction (Abdullahi, 2010) poor safety practices in the laboratories have led to accidents such as glass breakage, skin contact with chemicals, chemical splash and contact with the eye etc all resulting in chemical injuries, fire outbreaks and in some cases death.

  According to Byrd (2007) most of the accidents, hazards, injuriesetc that occur in our secondary school laboratories results from;

1. Inadequate knowledge of safety rules.
2. Insufficient skill, where in persons attempt what is beyond their ability level.
3. Improper attitudes of carelessness.

It becomes necessary, therefore to ask the question “to what extent are school laboratory users in this case secondary school laboratory users aware of the safety and best practices and to what extent are these practices implemented for the effective teaching and learning of Biology”.

1.3       Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study is to identify the extent to which laboratory safety and best practices are been implemented in secondary school biology laboratories.

     Particularly, the study intends to find out;

1. The general design and fittings of biology laboratories relevant to safety;
2. The extent of availability of safety equipment and materials in biology laboratories.
3. The extent to which the services of laboratory assistant are employed to ensure safety.
4. The extent to which the students comprehend the safety and best practices and the extent to which they implement them.

1.4       Significance of the Study

The findings in this study will be of great significance to different people or bodies in a variety of ways;

It will help the government to realize the urgent need to provide basic infrastructural materials and equipments in our school.

It will help institutions of learning to see the need to review the nature of program to include enough laboratory instructions so as to provide adequately the student teacher. This will enable them acquire safety practices and be able to transfer what they have learnt to their students.

The science teacher stands to gain from knowing the degree of safety practices and best practices that exist among their students and laboratory assistants. This will enable them do more to inculcate effective safety and best practices in their students.

The students will be more aware of safety and best practices in the biology laboratory and learn to be more careful while in the laboratory this will help to avert danger.

When students become more aware of safety and best practices in the laboratory, unnecessary waste and destruction be avoided, hence the study will help school with ways to minimize economical wastes.

The immediate community of schools will also benefit from the study-if the students and laboratory assistants become more aware of, and implement safety and best practices in the laboratory, environmental hazards, which may also affect the school community will be averted.

Lastly, the study will provide a reference or resource material for researchers who would want to do further research on topics related to it.

1.5       Scope and Delimitation of the Study

            The researcher has limited the study to cover secondary school biology laboratories and the safety and best practices that are being carried out in them.

            Due to financial constraint, the research is unable to go round and collect more materials or to obtain information from all the schools in the study area. Also the researcher, being a student is involved in other academic endeavours and is left with limited time to go round all the schools in the study area. These factors therefore, delimit the research work to only some selected schools within the study area.

1.6       Research Question

            The researcher has put forward the following questions to guide the study:

1. To what extent is the type of design and fittings in the biology laboratory appropriate to ensure safety?
2. To what extent are safety equipment available in the biology laboratory?
3. To what extent are the services of laboratory assistants employed to ensure safety during laboratory instructors?

1.7       Operational Definition of Terms

            For clarity, some terms used in the topic of the study are defined thus;

Extent: The degree to which something is or is believed to be the case.

Implementation: The processes of putting an idea decision or plan into effect to execute.

Safety: The condition of being protected from changes, risk or injury

Best Practice: A technique or procedure that is accepted as being correct or most effective.

Student: A person who studies in a particular institution of learning.