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Session 2139

Investigating Engineering Student Estimation Processes

Heather Nachtmann, Justin R. Chimka, Alisha D. Youngblood University of Arkansas

Abstract

Education-related engineering economy research focuses on solution methodology and lacks an emphasis on data modeling and estimation. Estimation of cash flows is a vital component of engineering economic analysis and should be effectively taught to undergraduate engineers. The first step in investigating estimation pedagogy is to study and document the estimation processes of engineering students. This paper describes ongoing research focused on collection and documentation of engineering student estimation processes, including description of data collection materials, methodology, and preliminary results. The long-term goal of this research is to develop educational materials to improve estimation pedagogy for undergraduate engineering students. This paper imparts a continuation of work presented to the Engineering Economy Division at the 2002 ASEE Conference.

Introduction

This research was introduced at the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition (Nachtmann and Lehrman, 2002). This paper presents results from a pilot study investigating engineering student estimation processes. Engineers are frequently called upon to provide estimates in order to facilitate decision analysis. Formal estimation instruction, if any, that engineering students receive prior to entering the workforce takes place within the engineering economy classroom. The Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) for undergraduate engineering programs has defined a set of outcomes that these programs must demonstrate that their graduates have achieved. One of these outcomes (b) requires the ability to analyze and interpret data within the design and conduct of experiments, which frequently requires an awareness of and capability in estimation. This coupled with the importance of preparing students for the challenges of real world analysis (Bordogna, et al., 1993; ASEE, 1994; National Science Foundation, 1995; National Research Council, 1995), such as data collection and estimation, provide the motivation for this research. The fact that an effective estimation curriculum does not currently exist has been acknowledged (Moore, 1997; Goyal, et al. 1997) along with recognition of the challenge of developing effective estimation pedagogy (Goyal, et al, 1997). Until now, education-related engineering economy research has focused on solution methodology and lacks an emphasis on data modeling and estimation.

Our research goals are to understand engineering student estimation processes and develop educational materials to improve engineering estimation pedagogy. The research phases (as shown in Exhibit 1) include:

Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education

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Chimka, J., & Youngblood, A., & Nachtmann, H. (2003, June), Investigating Engineering Student Estimation Processes: A Pilot Study Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--12073