Capstone project problem statements: art or science?

• Autores: Gene Dixon
• Localización: The International journal of engineering education, ISSN-e 0949-149X, Vol. 30, no. Extra 1, 2014, págs. 72-78
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • A review of capstone related literature indicates similar-not identical-approaches to design that include various concepts of what isa problem statement, and problem statement development, evaluation and assessment. There appears to be a variety of approachesfor developing the capstone student’s ability to craft a quality statement of the project problem. There are few specifics as to whatshould or should not be included in the problem statement and what is found reflects the preferred design process or programmaticrequirements. This paper describes findings from an exploratory study of methods and expectations associated with craftingcapstone problem statements. This work is directed at determining what characteristics are valued in a problem statement. Theresearch finds that problem statement characteristics vary with programmatic requirements and preferences in academia andindustry. Statistics point to alignment of academia and industry on all but two pre-selected problem statement characteristics,Identified Design Methods (p = 0.040) and Evidence of Current Art Research (p = 0.043). Industry is found to have the morerigorous point of view for the two characteristics.