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Engineering Design and Development. Justifying a Problem Academically of Ethically .
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Engineering Design and Development Justifying a Problem Academically of Ethically
Is the problem that you have identified really worth solving?There are three standards or pathways to answering this question.1) Is there a large volume of evidence supporting myclaim that this is in fact a problem and it is worth solving?2) Would solving this problem help people?3) Can I prove that there would be a market for a product that solves this problem?
Justifying Problem Selection Two Pathways to Justification Academicallyor Ethically Market Research • Both are valid. Both are important. • However, in almost all disciplines of engineering you will find the organization that governs that body is dedicated to the public interest and the moral responsibility of engineers. • It is our hope that engineers want to make the world a better place.
Justifying Problem Selection Academically / Ethically • In this course, projects that can be justified ethically through academic research represent the highest order of achievement. • This should be the starting point for all groups.
Justifying Problem Selection Market Research • Some problems worth solving have no research to draw on. • Once you have documented your search of the academic pathway, you might find that a better justification could be showing that there is a market for your product. • We will discuss this option in the next steps of the process.
Step 5 Where are we in the research phase? Step 1 (individual) – Areas of Interest Step 2 (individual) – Large problems within area(s) of interest Step 3 (individual/team) – Manageable problem(s) within area of interest Step 4 (team) – Preliminary research Step 5 (team) – Justify the problem Step 6 (team) – Concise problem statement. You problem statement will continue to evolve as you become an expert.
An Engineering Design Process - Research 1. Define and Justify a Problem • Brainstorm possible project problems. • Research and select a valid problem. • Become an expert on the problem. • Justify the problem through research. • Academic • Market • Write a problem statement. • Document and analyze prior solutions. • Identify design requirements. • Create a Project Proposal.
Justifying Problem Selection Academically / Ethically • Getting Started • Who in fact says your problem is a “problem” that needs to be solved. • Provide varied sources and different arguments for the problem. • “I Feel” or “I Think” has no place in engineering design and development. • Remove the “language of affection”. • Use the “language of report”. • Assume no one believes you. Prove every point with the facts.
Justifying Problem Selection Academically / Ethically • Getting Started • From this point forward, it is critical to always capture two things. • What was said? (Information) • Who said it? (APA Citation) • Where should you look to find the best justifications for your project?
Justifying Problem Selection Academically / Ethically • Types of Justification • Periodicals & Academic Journals • Printed • Electronic Databases • Microfiche • Books Refereed Articles • General • Reference • Documented Communication • Expert Interviews • Surveys • Newspapers • Multimedia (video, audio) • Commercial Internet Sites Peer Reviewed Editor Reviewed Credentialed Expert Editor Reviewed
Economics Lack of a solution to this problem costs… Health & Safety People are hurt or killed by… • Technical Problems • People a complaining about… • Legal Issues • People are suing because… Educational Strategies for Brainstorming Revisited Five Common Attack Paths to Justifying a Problem Justification Problem Statement • Education programs exist to prevent…
Justifying Problem Selection Academically / Ethically • Quantity and Quality of Sources • A diverse spread of acceptable sources makes for a better case of justification. • An argument is best made by presenting sound, multiple, and documented sources. • 5 Good sources is usually enough Using 3 different attack paths • 4 GREAT sources will do Providing 4 different attack paths Justification
Justifying Problem Selection Academically / Ethically • A Systematic Approach to Research • You instructor will introduce you to the research tools available to you at your school. • Some common places to start are • Google Scholar • Databases such as; • Academic Search Premier • ERIC • Statistical Abstract of the United States http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/
Image ResourcesMicrosoft, Inc. (n.d.). Clip art. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspxiStockphoto. Retrieved from http://www.istockphoto.com/index.phpDimension Printing. Retrieved from www.dimensionprinting.comThanks to EDD teachers who shared images of student prototypes