This thesis compares two methods for studying the problem-solving processes of
mechanical design engineers. The first method, verbal protocol analysis, was applied
by L. Stauffer to construct a problem-solving model of mechanical design. The
second method, timing analysis, measures the time intervals separating drawing or
speaking actions during the design process. Timing analyisis was applied by the
author to the verbal/video design data collected by Stauffer. This thesis demonstrates
that the two methods are statistically related, and hence, that employing
two different study techniques enhances the reliability of both methods. The two
methods have complementary strengths: protocol analysis reveals the content of the
design process, while timing analysis is much more complete. Hence, a combination
of protocol and timing analysis provides a stronger measure of the design process
than either method alone. / Graduation date: 1992
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/37330 |
| Date | 15 May 1990 |
| Creators | Chamberlin, Martha J. |
| Contributors | Dietterich, Thomas G. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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