The use of systematic and heuristic methods in the basic design cycle: A comparative survey of students' method usage

O. Person; Jaap Daalhuizen; V. Gattol

The use of systematic and heuristic methods in the basic design cycle: A comparative survey of students' method usage

O. Person
, Jaap Daalhuizen
, V. Gattol

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Article in proceedings › Research › peer-review

Abstract

In the present paper, we study the reported use of systematic and heuristic methods for 304 students enrolled in a master-level course on design theory and methodology. What to teach design and engineering students about methods is an important topic for discussion. One reason for this is that the experiences of design educators when using methods in their teaching do not always sit well with how methods are portrayed in the literature. Based on self-reports of the students, we study the use of systematic and heuristic methods for the five activities in the basic design cycle: (1) analysis, (2) synthesis, (3) simulation, (4) evaluation, and (5) decision-making. The results of our study suggest that systematic and heuristic methods fulfil different roles for the students when designing. The students reported to use heuristic methods significantly more for synthesis, while they reported to use systematic methods significantly more for evaluation and decision-making. In understanding the potential origin of these use practices, we call for more in-depth studies on method usage in design, for instance related to the role of preference and knowledge on systematic and heuristic methods usage.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Design Education - Growing Our Future, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education
Editors	Ahmed Kovacevic, John Lawlor, Brian Parkinson
Publisher	Design Society
Publication date	2013
Pages	190-196
ISBN (Print)	978-1-904670-42-1
Publication status	Published - 2013
Event	15th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education - Dublin, Ireland Duration: 5 Sept 2013 → 6 Sept 2013 Conference number: 15 http://www.iepde.org/epde13/

Conference

Conference	15th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education
Number	15
Country/Territory	Ireland
City	Dublin
Period	05/09/2013 → 06/09/2013
Internet address	http://www.iepde.org/epde13/

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Person, O., Daalhuizen, J., & Gattol, V. (2013). The use of systematic and heuristic methods in the basic design cycle: A comparative survey of students' method usage. In A. Kovacevic, J. Lawlor, & B. Parkinson (Eds.), Design Education - Growing Our Future, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (pp. 190-196). Design Society.

Person, O. ; Daalhuizen, Jaap ; Gattol, V. / The use of systematic and heuristic methods in the basic design cycle: A comparative survey of students' method usage. Design Education - Growing Our Future, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education. editor / Ahmed Kovacevic ; John Lawlor ; Brian Parkinson. Design Society, 2013. pp. 190-196

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abstract = "In the present paper, we study the reported use of systematic and heuristic methods for 304 students enrolled in a master-level course on design theory and methodology. What to teach design and engineering students about methods is an important topic for discussion. One reason for this is that the experiences of design educators when using methods in their teaching do not always sit well with how methods are portrayed in the literature. Based on self-reports of the students, we study the use of systematic and heuristic methods for the five activities in the basic design cycle: (1) analysis, (2) synthesis, (3) simulation, (4) evaluation, and (5) decision-making. The results of our study suggest that systematic and heuristic methods fulfil different roles for the students when designing. The students reported to use heuristic methods significantly more for synthesis, while they reported to use systematic methods significantly more for evaluation and decision-making. In understanding the potential origin of these use practices, we call for more in-depth studies on method usage in design, for instance related to the role of preference and knowledge on systematic and heuristic methods usage.",

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Person, O, Daalhuizen, J & Gattol, V 2013, The use of systematic and heuristic methods in the basic design cycle: A comparative survey of students' method usage. in A Kovacevic, J Lawlor & B Parkinson (eds), Design Education - Growing Our Future, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education. Design Society, pp. 190-196, 15th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education , Dublin, Ireland, 05/09/2013.

The use of systematic and heuristic methods in the basic design cycle: A comparative survey of students' method usage. / Person, O.; Daalhuizen, Jaap; Gattol, V.
Design Education - Growing Our Future, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education. ed. / Ahmed Kovacevic; John Lawlor; Brian Parkinson. Design Society, 2013. p. 190-196.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Article in proceedings › Research › peer-review

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AB - In the present paper, we study the reported use of systematic and heuristic methods for 304 students enrolled in a master-level course on design theory and methodology. What to teach design and engineering students about methods is an important topic for discussion. One reason for this is that the experiences of design educators when using methods in their teaching do not always sit well with how methods are portrayed in the literature. Based on self-reports of the students, we study the use of systematic and heuristic methods for the five activities in the basic design cycle: (1) analysis, (2) synthesis, (3) simulation, (4) evaluation, and (5) decision-making. The results of our study suggest that systematic and heuristic methods fulfil different roles for the students when designing. The students reported to use heuristic methods significantly more for synthesis, while they reported to use systematic methods significantly more for evaluation and decision-making. In understanding the potential origin of these use practices, we call for more in-depth studies on method usage in design, for instance related to the role of preference and knowledge on systematic and heuristic methods usage.

M3 - Article in proceedings

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BT - Design Education - Growing Our Future, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education

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The use of systematic and heuristic methods in the basic design cycle: A comparative survey of students' method usage

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