764
S.-Y. Chan et al.
2.1 Amount of Water Used in the Distillation Process
The flow of water was recorded by measuring the amount of water collected in a
defined time frame. Four different flow rates were taken as investigation parameters.
After determining the flow rate, the tap was connected to a water distiller and the
distillation process was commenced. The discharged/waste water was collected from
the outlet of the distiller and the volume generated was measured when 50 mL of
distilled water was collected as yield. At the same time, the temperature of the water
collected from the distiller outlet was also recorded. Data is presented as different
flow rate versus amount of waste water and distilled water generated.
2.2 Amount of Water Used in the Laboratory
The number of water distillers were recorded in each School in USM which has
a wet laboratory. The time of which the distiller is set/switched to “ON” was also
confirmed from each lab. The total amount of water generated from the distillation
process in a day in USM was then calculated.
2.3 Structured Questionnaires
In addition to experimental work, the validated questionnaires that are related to
the water conservation issue were disseminated to USM communities/residents. The
validated questionnaires are comprised of open and closed questions and designed
using the Google Form. The target respondents were lab users who are researchers,
postgraduate students, undergraduate students and lecturers from the various Schools
of Sciences in USM. The survey items (as shown in Table 1) included socio-economic
information, knowledge, perception and practice on the topic of water conservation.
2.4 Respondents and Data Collections
This research has been reviewed and approved by Undergraduate Human Ethic
Committee for research involving human subjects. Respondents were invited to fill
in the survey form through USM administrative email addresses. The participation
was completely voluntary. All data obtained was devoid of name, email address or
IP address and it was stored in a password protected electronic format in order to
protect confidentiality.
S.-Y. Chan et al.
2.1 Amount of Water Used in the Distillation Process
The flow of water was recorded by measuring the amount of water collected in a
defined time frame. Four different flow rates were taken as investigation parameters.
After determining the flow rate, the tap was connected to a water distiller and the
distillation process was commenced. The discharged/waste water was collected from
the outlet of the distiller and the volume generated was measured when 50 mL of
distilled water was collected as yield. At the same time, the temperature of the water
collected from the distiller outlet was also recorded. Data is presented as different
flow rate versus amount of waste water and distilled water generated.
2.2 Amount of Water Used in the Laboratory
The number of water distillers were recorded in each School in USM which has
a wet laboratory. The time of which the distiller is set/switched to “ON” was also
confirmed from each lab. The total amount of water generated from the distillation
process in a day in USM was then calculated.
2.3 Structured Questionnaires
In addition to experimental work, the validated questionnaires that are related to
the water conservation issue were disseminated to USM communities/residents. The
validated questionnaires are comprised of open and closed questions and designed
using the Google Form. The target respondents were lab users who are researchers,
postgraduate students, undergraduate students and lecturers from the various Schools
of Sciences in USM. The survey items (as shown in Table 1) included socio-economic
information, knowledge, perception and practice on the topic of water conservation.
2.4 Respondents and Data Collections
This research has been reviewed and approved by Undergraduate Human Ethic
Committee for research involving human subjects. Respondents were invited to fill
in the survey form through USM administrative email addresses. The participation
was completely voluntary. All data obtained was devoid of name, email address or
IP address and it was stored in a password protected electronic format in order to
protect confidentiality.