An exploratory studies of students’ action during the lunch break.

GROUP: SADISTIC COWS

Title :An exploratory studies of students’ action during the lunch break.

Date : 3rd January 2008, AY 2007/08, Semester 2

Conducted by :
Muhammad Irwan B Ibrahim(0764450, DME/2B/06)
Boon Le Tang (0746825, DEEE/FT/1A23)
Sharifah Farah Bte Syed Esa Alsree (0654764, DBEN/2B/01)
Tan Shelmin (0734222, DIT/1b/04)
Lim Diana(0646008, DTRM04)
Liu Libin (0723576, DCP/1B/06)


AIM OF STUDY
The aim of this study is to answer the main research question as below:

Why do SP students always find difficulties in finding a place for their lunch?

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS METHODS
This study employs a qualitative social-psychological research paradigm. The research is conducted in Singapore Polytechnic. The research takes a total of four weeks to complete. The research stretches from 14th November 2007 to 5th December 2007.

The forms of data collection for the research are as below: ( the survey questions)
30 students have been interview by the researchers. Each of the researcher interviewED 5 students in certain foodcourts. The duration of each interview WAS approximately 10 minutes.

The forms of analysis used are as follow:
· Counting
· Clustering

FINDINGS (use diagrams or tables to supplement your report when needed)
The findings for this research are as follows:

Total person interviewed: 30


The distance is the main factor for student when determining which FCs to go for lunch. This is because there is insufficient time allocated for lunch. If they go to other foodcourts, much time will be spent on walking to the respective food courts. Nonetheless, when time permits, students do not mind walking to other food courts. They rather use the time to eat than to walk. They also prefer to go to foodcourts which are closer to their subsequent classes.
1) What are the features of foodcourts that attract you the most? (the foodcourt that you frequent go )
Number of participants
The Food
12
The distance
15
The features
3

From our interviews, we found that majority patrons of the food courts are students, but there are still some lecturers who have their meals in the foodcourts. Students occupy all the foodcourts mostly due to reasons such as distance and food. Furthermore, other reasons such as the availability of halal food in foodcourts play a role in students’ choice as well. Lecturers will dine in the foodcourts either nearest to their staffrooms or where their next class will be held. As lecturers have offices and can bring in their food, why would they not give up their seats to the students? The findings show that most of the students who cannot manage to find seats for their lunch will either starve themselves or end up buying take away food and eat at other places.


Total person interviewed: 30
2) Why do you refuse to go certain foodcourts?
Number of participants
The Distance
15
Limited choices for other races (Malays)
8
No seats
7

The students refuse to visit certain foodcourt mainly due to the distance apart, most of them will choose to go to the foodcourt nearest to their school. For example, students from the School of business will usually hang out at foodcourt 6. Another reason is due to the variety. When questioned, some of them prefer certain type of food that can only be found at certain foodcourt, for instance, thai food at foodcourt 4; koufu.

Total person interviewed: 30
3 When usually the peak hour?
Number of participants
11-1pm
8
12-1
22

From our interviewees, we found that most of them agree that the peak hour is from 12-1pm. Due to the fact that most lessons end at 12pm, only a minority of students will have an early lunch.

Total person interviewed: 30 (Some people prefer more than 1)
4 Which foodcourts is the most crowded? Why do you think students like to go there?
Number of participants
FC1
6
FC2
3
FC3
14
FC4
11
FC5
9
FC6
27

FC3 is the most crowded as it is located at the central of the school. It also has a wide variety of food to choose from. Furthermore, FC3 is also the biggest foodcourt in the school. Some students will go back to foodcourts which is nearer to them. They do not want to waste time walking.

Total person interviewed: 30
5 How usually you overcome this problem?
Number of participants
Wait
13
Takeaway
5
Don’t eat, stay hungry
12

From what we have observed from the data we got, most students are willing to wait for the tables and chairs. They are willing to come to class late as long their stomach is full. Only a few will take away because they find it easier. Some students disagree as it will be troublesome for them to eat from the packed food. Some of them are willing to go hungry as they do not want to wait for the places.
Total person interviewed: 30
6 Where will you go when there no place inside the foodcourt?
Number of participants
Study area
14
Staircase
3
Bench Area
8
Lecture Theatre
5

With this data we had, we observed student would likely to go to study area to enjoy their lunch. The reason is because there are enough tables and chairs for them to use. It is also more comfortable to use the area because it is open air in comparison to the stuffy foodcourts. This study area is also much closer to their classes after lunch so they do not have to waste time on walking. They also able to switch on their notebooks as they can easily find power plugs around. It is equivalent to killing two birds with one stone – Enjoying their lunch while surfing the internet.

Total person interviewed: 30
7 Would you consider bring food from home for lunch? Why?
Number of participants
Yes
3
No
27



Most students are against the idea of bringing home food as the food will turn cold by lunch time. While others find it troublesome as they do not want to carry too many things to school. Bringing home food will mean more things in the bag. Students also prefer to eat school food as it is better since there will be cleaners to clean up their used lunch plates. They also prefer warm food to cold food.

DISCUSSION
From our viewpoints, we analysed on how they will overcome the aforementioned problem in the polytechnic and the various reasons that culminated in the problem. Nowadays, students have many ways to overcome them. They fully utilise the facilities in the school including the stairs. In fact, they do not mind where they have their lunch as long as there is somewhere they can settle down for lunch. We have also enquired some friends from other polytechnics. It shows that not only SP students are facing this problem; other polytechnic students are also facing this problem during lunch time. Only a minority of them is willing to bring food from home or eat outside the school compound. The reasons are mainly clashes of time-table with similar break time and overcrowding of food courts when students swarm towards the food courts nearer to their classes. Hence, food courts near faculties that have a greater number of students are more likely to be crowded during lunch time.