Problem and Purpose Statements (3)

3 Problem and Purpose Statement

A. Subject Area: Trad Route Finding

Problem: Route finding for traditional rock climbing can be very difficult, and as a result climbers often get lost, injured, or turned around. Not only is this a problematic for climbers, but for search and rescue teams as well.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to create a more accurate way for traditional rock climbers to locate established climbing routes and alpine climbing routes. 

B. Subject Area: Community Project
Problem: Campus bike racks are ugly and do not stand out.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find a sustainable and durable material that can be used to augment existing racks, giving them a more attractive appearance.

Subject Area: Information Technology
Problem: Many elementary and middle school teachers are not properly trained or qualified to work with and teach children with permanent psychological disorders. 
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to create a standardized training interface system that can also be referenced on the spot. 

Past Assignment Reviews (3)

The Belt Buddy

Easing the struggle of securing a child into a safety harness. By Ethan Dempsey

1.     Problem Statement: Five-point harnesses on Children’s safety equipment products are time consuming & cumbersome when placing a child into various safety equipment.

2.     Procedure: Research procedures were as follows: interviews, persona creation, surveys, panel of experts, field observations, literature research, web based research, library studies, articles and journals. The research is very clear and very thorough. The researcher uses many legitimate sources and presentation is very organized. Survey charts are also very clear and helpful.  

3.     Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that a product strategically placed on the safety straps could reduce the amount of time and effort it takes to place a child in and take a child out of a five-point harness safety seat. This hypothesis is clearly stated and is the only hypothesis. 

4.     Major Findings: The student introduced a way to temporarily relocate the harness straps so that they were out of the way when placing a child in a safety seat and be easily accessible after placement to secure the child properly. The findings support the hypothesis and the related solution. Chapter 3 is logically organized and the solution is clearly presented and easy to follow.

5.     Conclusion: The research concluded that the solution to the problem allows parents and caregivers to easily place a child into and remove a child from a f-point harness safety seat. The research also stated that this will reduce valuable time, decrease stress levels within a child, and ultimately create a happier environment for the whole family. I believe this is well presented and that the conclusions are justified in terms of the data collected and findings presented.

6.     Appendix Materials: Materials are organized into appendices. The information definitely adds to the report and was necessary. The design process was also very helpful. I would not get rid of anything in the appendices.

7.     Overall Critique: The research was thorough and very organized. Everything was explained clearly. The only thing that I would change would be to better describe the proposed solution. The reader needs more details to understand how the new system works. The photos were great, I especially liked the design process story board. I believe that this report is worth reviewing for ideas/format. I will definitely reference this project when working with mine.

Roots and Routes

Russian Routes and Roots: A thesis by Anna Kocherovsky

1. Problem Statement San Francisco’s Russian community has existed in the Richmond District since the early 20^th century, however, it’s significance is virtually unknown to the neighborhood residents.  
2. Procedure: The research procedure is not very detailed. The researcher does not state which major activities were involved in data collection here. It briefly states that the researcher talked to some prominent figures, professors and educators. This researcher could have stated the other means of obtaining data.  
3. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that the visual guides to the Russian presence in San Francisco can help bring pride back into the neighborhood and awareness to the city of its distinct Russian character.  This is clearly state and to be tested by visual means. This is also tested by going through Russian history and presenting it in an educational way to the reader.
4. Major Findings: The student set the parameters of the design in chapter three through education, visibility, and time. They also suggested a branding movement. They also gave a rationale and mock up sketches. Appears to be pretty clear.
5. Conclusions: The student concluded that the range of variables within this study has exceeded the researcher’s epxectations, and the process was rewarding. It is a little vague, and not very organized. I think their conclusion is more geared towards what they think, and not what they had really accomplished. What did this research conclude?
6. Appendix Materials: Appendix is very brief. It includes a survey and a bibliography. They could have added their interviews, expert views, and other observations and interactions.
7. Overall Critique: The strong point in this research report was the history itself. The student went into a lot of detail on the history of the area of study. Some of the layouts and type were a little distracting; especially the sideways and diagonal type. The timeline is very hard to read and very distracting. Overall I don’t believe that this was an effective study. The solution was not very clear, and I’m not sure that the problem is even one of great concern to the majority of people. The cover and title are nice. I would recommend to others in the class to read this report to get idea of some things to not do.

Warm Hands

Fighting Cold Weather by.

1. Problem Statement During winter months, cold hands often stiffen up and can aggravate old injuries, especially when carrying heavy items.  
2. Procedure: The student was very thorough with their procedural outline for this project. Interviews with experts, literature review, internet research, surveys, and observations were used to collect data. The student elaborates under each one listed and tells how they used these resources to obtain data and information. Very organized, clear, easy to follow.
3. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that a product can be developed to help build dexterity, as well as, ease pain from old injury in hands during exposure to cold weather. The hypothesis is clearly stated
4. Major Findings: The student did a lot of very detailed research on the topic. Finding what actually makes hands cold, and all of the available products on the market right now that help keep hands warm. Their major findings were that one needs not only the warmth, but comfortability.  They suggest a wrap around pad that is heated, which can be applied to any handle such as a bike, umbrella, or suit case.
5. Conclusions: The student concludes the research stating that from the information she found, she was able to gain insight and began ideating different solutions to the problem caused by cold weather on hands’ dexterity and pain levels. The student also concludes that all of the research methods were very helpful and talks about the use of CAD also being used to create the product. The conclusion is very concise and organized.
6. Appendix Materials: Appendices are very organized. The student has covered all of the experts, sources, resources, and surveys. As well as everything utilized in the project. 
7. Overall Critique: This student’s research has many strong points. The research is very thorough and organized. The whole book is put together very well. Nothing was distracting. Each chapter is very detailed. The design process is great. And the autoCAD drawings are clean. The final product looks great. Overall, the research as well done, and the product and purpose were well done. I would recommend this student’s research to others.