A Coding Scheme for Analyzing Capstone Design Reports: Problem and Solution Descriptions

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shraddha Joshi ◽  
Joshua D. Summers
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Level Of Detail ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Final Solution ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Coding Scheme ◽  
Engineering Problems ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Capstone Design

It is desirable that the graduating engineering students possess the skills of formulating and solving engineering problems to design solutions that meet the established requirements. However, the current literature has noticeable gaps pertaining to understanding how the formulation of design problems and establishment of requirements affect the final design solution. The ultimate goal of this research is to understand the influence of the level of detail of problem statement and requirements on the level of detail of final solution. In order to accomplish this goal a coding scheme is developed to systematically code the information in the final design reports from capstone design class collected over a period of ten years from 1999 to 2008. The coded information is used to develop mappings between problem statement and final solution. To this end, this paper describes the scheme for systematically coding the problem statement and final design solution.

Mapping Problem and Requirements to Final Solution: A Document Analysis of Capstone Design Projects

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shraddha Joshi ◽  
Beshoy Morkos ◽  
Joshua D. Summers
Keyword(s):  
Design Education ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Level Of Detail ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Final Solution ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
High Level ◽  
Capstone Design

Formulating and solving engineering problems and designing solutions that meet the established requirements are important skills that graduating engineering students need to possess. However, there are noticeable gaps in the literature with respect to understanding how the formulation of design problems and establishment of requirements affect the final design solution in undergraduate design education. This paper is an initial step to understand the influence of level of detail of problem statement and requirements on the level of detail of final solution in capstone design projects. In doing so, a document analysis of final reports from capstone design class collected over a period of ten years, 1999 to 2008, is conducted. A data compression approach is developed to allow for the mapping of level of detail of problem statement and requirements to the level of detail of final solution. The findings of this research indicate that a low level of detail problem statement and requirements leads to no greater than a medium level of detail in the final solution. A high level of detail of final solution is more likely to result from either a high or medium level of detail of problem statement and requirements. Additionally, it was found that a high level of detail final solution is more likely to result in a high percentage of requirements satisfied. These findings are used to make several recommendations to improve the level of detail of the problem statement and requirements so a high level of detail final solution is developed while satisfying a great number of requirements. This assists in ensuring that students possess the skills needed before entering the professional workforce.

scholarly journals Design problem solving with biological analogies: A verbal protocol study

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunmin Cheong ◽  
Gregory M. Hallihan ◽  
L.H. Shu
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Verbal Protocol ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Biomimetic Design ◽  
Coding Scheme ◽  
Biological Phenomena ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Protocol Study

AbstractBiomimetic design applies biological analogies to solve design problems and has been known to produce innovative solutions. However, when designers are asked to perform biomimetic design, they often have difficulty recognizing analogies between design problems and biological phenomena. Therefore, this research aims to investigate designer behaviors that either hinder or promote the use of analogies in biomimetic design. A verbal protocol study was conducted on 30 engineering students working in small teams while participating in biomimetic design sessions. A coding scheme was developed to analyze cognitive processes involved in biomimetic design. We observed that teams were less likely to apply overall biological analogies if they tended to recall existing solutions that could be easily associated with specific superficial or functional characteristics of biological phenomena. We also found that the tendency to evaluate ideas, which reflects critical thinking, correlates with the likelihood of identifying overall biological analogies. Insights from this paper may contribute toward developing generalized methods to facilitate biomimetic design.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Beginning and Advanced Engineering Students’ Description of Information Skills

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerrie Anna Douglas ◽  
Amy S. Van Epps ◽  
Brittany Mihalec-Adkins ◽  
Michael Fosmire ◽  
Şenay Purzer
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Search Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Advanced Level ◽  
Coding Scheme ◽  
Information Strategies ◽  
General Search

Abstract Objective – The purpose of this research was to examine how beginning and advanced level engineering students report use of information when completing an engineering design process. This information is important for librarians seeking to develop information literacy curricula in the context of engineering design. Methods – Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews about information strategies used in engineering design with 21 engineering students (10 first and second year; 11 senior and graduate). Researchers transcribed interviews and developed an inductive coding scheme. Then, from the coding scheme, researchers extracted broader themes. Results – Beginning level engineering students interviewed: (a) relied primarily on the parameters explicitly given in the problem statement; (b) primarily used general search strategies; (c) were documentation oriented; and (d) relied on external feedback to determine when they had found enough information. Advanced level engineering students interviewed: (a) relied on both their own knowledge and the information provided in the problem statement; (b) utilized both general and specific search strategies; (c) were application oriented; and (d) relied on self-reflection and problem requirements to determine when they had found enough information. Conclusion – Beginning level students describe information gathering as externally motivated tasks to complete, rather than activities that are important to inform their design. Advanced level students describe more personal investment in their use of information through consideration of information based on their prior knowledge and questioning information. Future research should consider how to best support beginning level engineering students’ personal engagement with information.

scholarly journals Data on the Design of Truss Structures by Teams of Engineering Students

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher McComb ◽  
Jonathan Cagan ◽  
Kenneth Kotovsky
Keyword(s):  
Computational Models ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Initial Problem ◽  
Truss Structure ◽  
Computer Interface ◽  
Truss Structures ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Problem Representations

This experiment was conducted in order to compare different approaches that human teams use to solve design problems that change dynamically during solving. Specifically, study participants were given the task of designing a truss structure (similar to a bridge spanning a chasm) in teams of three. At two points during design, the problem statement was changed unexpectedly, requiring participants to adapt. Two conditions were given different initial problem representations. During the study, every participant had access to a computer interface that allowed them to construct, test, and share solutions. The interface also made it possible to collect a step-by-step log of the actions made by participants during the study. This article contains data collected from 48 participants (16 teams). This data has been used previously in behavioral analyses, sequence-based analysis, and development of computational models.

Factors That Effect Motivation and Performance on Innovative Design Projects

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake Linnerud ◽  
Gregory Mocko
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Clemson University ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Innovative Design ◽  
Current State ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Initial Results ◽  
Capstone Design

For engineering companies striving to be competitive in today’s economy, it is essential that innovation is the crux of their strategy and decision making process. Engineering designers are constantly pushed to develop new and innovative solutions to design problems yet there has been little research on what actually motivates these designers, both intrinsically and extrinsically, to be innovative. Similarly, engineering students working on their capstone design project are pushed to develop solutions to innovative design problems. The purpose of this paper is to present the initial findings of an innovation survey of Mechanical Engineering students at Clemson University. This paper will discuss the importance of innovation, the current state of innovation, the surveys that were created, the results of said survey, and how this information will be used going forward to improve performance and motivation in capstone design classes. The purpose of this survey is to determine which motivational factors engineering students perceive to be the most effective when working on innovative design projects. The initial results showed that (1) making an “A” grade in the class, (2) developing an “elegant” solution, and (3) making professional contacts with the industry sponsors were the three factors that most effectively promoted innovative design. Conversely, (1) impressing peers, (2) making professional contacts with the fellow students, and (3) winning cash prizes were the three factors that least effectively promoted innovative design.

Multi-Objective Optimization of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 48-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Martz ◽  
W. L. Neu
Keyword(s):  
Design Space ◽  
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle ◽  
Underwater Vehicle ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Single Measure ◽  
Design Variables ◽  
Complex Design ◽  
Final Design ◽  
Undersea Vehicle ◽  
Hierarchy Process

AbstractThe design of complex systems involves a number of choices, the implications of which are interrelated. If these choices are made sequentially, each choice may limit the options available in subsequent choices. Early choices may unknowingly limit the effectiveness of a final design in this way. Only a formal process that considers all possible choices (and combinations of choices) can insure that the best option has been selected. Complex design problems may easily present a number of choices to evaluate that is prohibitive. Modern optimization algorithms attempt to navigate a multidimensional design space in search of an optimal combination of design variables. A design optimization process for an autonomous underwater vehicle is developed using a multiple objective genetic optimization algorithm that searches the design space, evaluating designs based on three measures of performance: cost, effectiveness, and risk. A synthesis model evaluates the characteristics of a design having any chosen combination of design variable values. The effectiveness determined by the synthesis model is based on nine attributes identified in the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Master Plan and four performance-based attributes calculated by the synthesis model. The analytical hierarchy process is used to synthesize these attributes into a single measure of effectiveness. The genetic algorithm generates a set of Pareto optimal, feasible designs from which a decision maker(s) can choose designs for further analysis.

MNC-Sponsored Multidisciplinary Industrial-Strength Capstone Design Projects in China

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. 54-65
Author(s):  
Vincent Chang
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Biomedical Engineering ◽  
Multinational Corporation ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Computer Engineering ◽  
University Of Michigan ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
Industrial Strength ◽  
Capstone Design

With a growing need to reform Chinese higher engineering education, University of Michigan—Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (JI) initiated multinational corporation-sponsored industrial-strength Capstone Design Projects (CDP) in 2011. Since 2011, JI has developed 96 corporate-sponsored CDPs since its inception, which include multinational corporation sponsors such as Covidien, Dover, GE, HP, Intel, NI, Philips, and Siemens. Of these projects, healthcare accounts for 27%, energy 24%, internet technology (IT) 22%, electronics 16%, and other industries 11%. This portfolio reflects the trends and needs in the industry, which provides opportunities for engineering students to develop their careers. An accumulated 480 JI students have been teamed up based on their individual backgrounds, specifically electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering. The corporate-sponsored rate grew from 0% in 2010 to 86% in 2014.

Handling Multiple Objectives in Decentralized Design

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Chanron ◽  
Kemper Lewis ◽  
Yayoi Murase ◽  
Kazuhiro Izui ◽  
Shinji Nishiwaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
Distributed Environments ◽  
Engineering Systems ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Design Requirements ◽  
Decentralized Design ◽  
Set Based Design ◽  
Standard Techniques ◽  
Different Parts

Most complex systems, including engineering systems such as cars, airplanes, and satellites, are the results of the interactions of many distinct entities working on different parts of the design. Decentralized systems constitute a special class of design under distributed environments. They are characterized as large and complex systems divided into several smaller entities that have autonomy in local optimization and decision-making. A primary issue in decentralized design processes is to ensure that the designers that are involved in the process converge to a single design solution that is optimal and meets the design requirements, while being acceptable to all the participants. This is made difficult by the strong interdependencies between the designers, which are usually characteristic of such systems. This paper proposes a critical review of standard techniques to modeling and solving decentralized design problems, and shows mathematically the challenges created by having multiobjective subsystems. A method based on set-based design is then proposed to alleviate some of these challenging issues. An illustration of its applicability is given in the form of the design of a space satellite.

A Set-Based System for Eliminating Infeasible Designs in Engineering Problems Dominated by Uncertainty

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
William W. Finch ◽  
Allen C. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Circuit ◽  
Predicate Logic ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Engineering Systems ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Engineering Design Problems ◽  
Engineering Problems ◽  
Prototype Software

Abstract This paper gives an overview of a system which eliminates infeasible designs from engineering design problems dominated by multiple sources of uncertainty. It outlines methods for representing constraints on sets of values for design parameters using quantified relations, a special class of predicate logic expressions which express some of the causal information inherent in engineering systems. The paper extends constraint satisfaction techniques and describes elimination algorithms that operate on quantified relations and catalogs of toleranced or adjustable parts. It demonstrates the utility of these tools on a simple electronic circuit, and describes their implementation and test in a prototype software tool.

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