Justifying a Problem

Academically or Ethically

Engineering Design and Development

2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

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.

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
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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
iStockphoto. 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