A qualitative study of how mental models impact engineering students’ engagement with empathic communication exercises

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola W. Sochacka ◽  
Kathryn M. Youngblood ◽  
Joachim Walther ◽  
Shari E. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Mental Models ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Empathic Communication

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of Reading Comprehension: An Insight from Pakistani Context Bridging the Needs of Engineering Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Mansoor Ahmed Channa ◽  
Zaimuariffudin Shukri Nordin ◽  
Insaf Ali Simming ◽  
Ali Asgher Chandio
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Comprehension Instruction ◽  
Reading Comprehension Instruction ◽  
Comprehension Ability ◽  
Reading Comprehension Ability

<p>This study aimed to investigate the teachers’ opinions in terms of reading comprehension instruction to the engineering students for bridging their difficulties in reading academic text in communication subject. The study was conducted in the four engineering departments of one university in Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews of 10 teachers were used as a qualitative instrument to collect data for this study to know the needs of engineering students in terms of reading comprehension. The data was analyzed through NVivo version 8 for interpretation of the results. This study provided the most promising findings to develop reading ability among engineering students. The findings revealed that teachers should use rereading text, text scanning, and text skimming strategies to develop reading comprehension ability of engineering students.</p>

scholarly journals Relación Entre la Investigación y la Docencia Activa. Un Punto de Vista Cualitativo de Estudiantes de Ingeniería

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
Aránzazu Berbey Álvarez ◽  
Humberto Álvarez ◽  
Jessica Guevara Cedeño ◽  
Juan De Dios Sanz Bobi
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Teaching Learning

This manuscript presents a qualitative analysis about the engineering students perspective of the insertion of research results in the teaching/learning process in the classroom, and if these didactic resources motivated or promoted a future scientific research career.Keywords: research, active learning teaching, engineering students, perception, qualitative study. 

scholarly journals Comprehending and Acting on Pandemic Health Risk Information Differently: A Qualitative Study Using the Mental Models’ Approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siv Hilde Berg ◽  
Marie Therese Shortt ◽  
Henriette Thune ◽  
Jo Røislien ◽  
Jane K. O’Hara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Mental Models ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Risk Information ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
Scientific Uncertainty ◽  
Geographical Regions

Abstract BackgroundA worldwide pandemic of a new and unknown virus is characterised by scientific uncertainty. Yet, health authorities still need to communicate complex health risk information to the public – despite this uncertainty. The mental models approach to risk communication describes how people perceive and make decisions regarding complex risks, with the aim of identifying decision-relevant information that can be targeted in risk communication interventions. This study used COVID-19 as a case to explore how people make sense of scientific information and apply it to their lives and behaviour using the concept of mental models.MethodsThis qualitative study included 15 male and female participants of different ages and from different geographical regions in Norway, occupational areas and with different education levels. The participants were interviewed individually, and the interview data analysed via directed content analysis, with predetermined themes and codes derived the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s official website. Materials in the interview data not represented by deductive codes were coded inductively. The participants’ perceptions and behaviours related to health risk information were analysed across three themes: virus transmission, exposure to risk and consequences of COVID-19. ResultsThe results imply that people put different meanings to the medical and scientific words used by experts to explain the pandemic, e.g. virus transmission and the reproduction number. And while some people expressed the need to comprehend why certain behavior and activities involve a high risk, others preferred simple, clear messages focusing on what to do and how to protect themselves. Similarly, information about health consequences caused panic for some and awareness for others. ConclusionThere is no one-size fits all to public health risk communication, and empowering people with decision-relevant information necessitates targeted and balanced risk communication.

scholarly journals Developing Mindsets: A Qualitative Study among First-Year South African University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-216
Author(s):  
Hettie Terblanche ◽  
Henry D. Mason ◽  
Barend van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
South African ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Student Support ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Support Programme ◽  
Support Programmes

This article reports on a qualitative study that evaluated first-year students’ lived experiences of attending a 12-week student support programme focused on fostering mindsets. Participants included 545 first year Engineering students enrolled for academic studies at a South African university. All participants completed qualitative narrative sketches depicting their experiences. A random sample of 300 students’ narrative sketches was included as data in the qualitative study. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, and Dweck’s theory on mindsets served as the theoretical lens through which the data were interpreted. The results indicate that the majority of students experienced significant personal growth from attending the student support programme. Additionally, the findings point to the relevance and importance of offering student support programmes focused on exploring mindsets to first-year students. The results of this exploratory study suggest that mindset theory should be considered as an essential component when advising first-year South African Engineering students. Furthermore, we make a case for the relevance of positive psychology-based development programmes for first-year students.

scholarly journals Which actors influence student’s university orientation in Morocco? An exploratory study with civil engineering students

2021 ◽  
Vol 119 ◽  
pp. 05011
Author(s):  
Youssef Harraki ◽  
Aniss Moumen ◽  
Ahmed Remaida ◽  
Driss Gretete
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Public School ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Political Discourse ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Helpful Factors ◽  
The University

Orientation of students in universities is considered a key factor that affects students academic and professional paths. Indeed, many institutional and political discourse highlights the importance of “orientation” at the University as a palliative failure. However, in Morocco, the guidance procedures are based essentially on academic performance alone. This paper will present a literature review on “University guidance” and a qualitative study with 30 students from a public school of civil engineers in Casablanca. This work focuses on exploring various helpful factors which may improve academic guidance.

An Initial Analysis of Undergraduate Student Mental Models of Product Design

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica R. Driscoll ◽  
Steven Hoffenson ◽  
Nicole Pitterson
Keyword(s):  
Product Design ◽  
Engineering Design ◽  
Mental Models ◽  
Concept Maps ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Design Learning ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Mapping Exercise

Abstract Design is a concept that means different things to different people. Even in the engineering design research community, there is little agreement on a consistent definition of design. This study looks into how engineering students understand product design, using a concept mapping exercise to elicit the key concepts and relationships present in their mental models. An analysis of concept maps from 130 third-year undergraduate engineering students shows how these students think about design, the common themes and relationships that are seen across the population, and variations across different groups of students. By understanding how students in the midst of ABET-accredited programs conceptualize design, conclusions can be drawn regarding the effectiveness of existing curricula in instilling a complete understanding of holistic product design. This can lead to recommendations regarding future engineering design learning objectives, teaching materials, and activities.

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