Evaluation of the Impact of E-Laboratory on Engineering Research and Development in Nigeria: Emphasis on Universities in Delta State (Published)
The study evaluated the impact of electronic laboratory to engineering research and development in Universities in Delta State. Three research questions and three corresponding hypotheses guided the study. Design of the study was descriptive survey. Population of the study comprised 12, 482 (8,338 academic and 4,144 administrative) while the sample for the study consisted of 747 (382 academic and 365 administrative) staff who were sampled for the study using random sampling technique. Instrument used for collecting data for the study was an 18 item questionnaire titled. The instrument was validated by three experts; one each from the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Measurement and Evaluation, and Educational Management who assisted in determining the face and content validities of the questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach Alpha with an index of 0.88. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested using z-test at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that online simulation laboratory, three-dimensional laboratory and computerized science laboratory all impact on engineering research and development. There was no significant difference in the opinion of academic staff and administrative staff on the impact of online simulation laboratory and three-dimensional laboratory but a significant difference existed on the impact of computerized science laboratory. Based on these findings, it was recommended that more technological facilities should be provided for the conduct of engineering research activities and the staff who carry put this research should be trained on modern technological research skills from time to time.
Keywords: Delta State, Development, E-laboratory, Engineering, Research