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A Cause-and-Effect Approach to Empowering Engineering Students

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Conference

2025 ASEE Southeast Conference

Location

Mississippi State University, Mississippi

Publication Date

March 9, 2025

Start Date

March 9, 2025

End Date

March 11, 2025

Conference Session

Professional Papers

Tagged Topic

Professional Papers

Page Count

9

DOI

10.18260/1-2--54133

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/54133

Download Count

46

Paper Authors

biography

Mazen I. Hussein Tennessee Technological University

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Mazen is an Associate Professor in the General and Basic Engineering Department at Regional University. His research interests include: Freight modeling and logistics, facilities planning and material handling, optimization and simulation modeling, production planning and control, reverse logistics and recycling, modern manufacturing systems, microalloying and mechanical behavior, teaching statistics and increasing the data analytics content in engineering curricula, and the impact of the administrative policies on the engineering education. Memberships: Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, American Society for Quality, Institute for Supply Management, and Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences.

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Abstract

This paper explores how engineering students, particularly those in their first year, can utilize self-assessment to identify academic and personal challenges. Using the cause-and-effect diagram (Ishikawa or fishbone diagram) as a problem-solving tool, students are encouraged to reflect on the root causes of their difficulties and develop practical solutions. While the study primarily focuses on first-year students, the results offer insights applicable to a broader student population, demonstrating the tool's versatility in fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills across different academic contexts.

Hussein, M. I. (2025, March), A Cause-and-Effect Approach to Empowering Engineering Students Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi. 10.18260/1-2--54133

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