Justifying a Problem Academically or Ethically Engineering Design

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 my claim 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 Academically or 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.

Where are we in the research phase? Step 5 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

Strategies for Brainstorming Revisited Five Common Attack Paths to Justifying a Problem He alt h& Pe Sa or ople fet kil a y led re h by ur … t cs i m n o o n i t o olu m Ec s f a roble o ck is p … a L s th to cost Justification Problem Statement Pe s e u s op Educational g s n I i l u a s g e e r L a e l op se… e P au bec Te ch n ica l. P le rob ac l ab omp ems ou t… laini ng 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 Resources Microsoft, Inc. (n. d. ). Clip art. Retrieved from http: //office. microsoft. com/en-us/clipart/default. aspx i. Stockphoto. Retrieved from http: //www. istockphoto. com/index. php Dimension Printing. Retrieved from www. dimensionprinting. com Thanks to EDD teachers who shared images of student prototypes