Table of Contents

Scientific method vs. Engineering design process

Student guide home

Working on this, not finished yet

Numerous books and articles have been written about both the scientific method and the engineering design process. It is highly recommended that you study this topic as the quality of your project depends on your understanding of a proper method. The below text seeks to define the key concepts which should guide your work process and project report.

The scientific method essentially describes a method to “ask questions and perform experiments to answer them” or more specifically the scientist:

The engineering design process is somewhat different as engineers have a different objective: They “create solutions to problems” or more specifically the engineer:

When working in a highly specialized or novel technology domain, the distinction often becomes more difficult though. Some scientists use the engineering design process to create a novel thing in order to test a hypothesis, and some engineers are facing the research question “is it even possible to create this new thing”. In your thesis or project I recommend that you largely follow the engineering design process.

Identify a problem

An engineering project begin with a problem which in general terms is a situation that needs a solution:

The above definition is derived after having consulted multiple sources on the topic. It is clear that “classical” engineering projects fits well within this scope.

Do background research

Specify requirements

Iterative creation process

Conclude if the solution(s) meet the requirements