Guide to Online Appendices

Here are descriptions of the online appendix materials provided with the book, together with approximate page counts.  Being electronic supplements, they can be updated.  If you see the need for this, or improvements, please let the author know.

1 Research methods: Why we can trust the results

This is a discussion on the research methods that I have used with my students in developing material in the book.  It also provides a brief summary on how the ideas presented in each chapter emerged from the research.  (23 pages)

2 Interview questionnaire

This is the interview questionnaire used for most of the interviews provided data for the research, including variations for certain research studies. (9 pages) The consent form and interview information sheet are also provided.

3 List of participants

This is a table summarising the interviews with participants that I systematically analysed during the research.  Interviews conducted and analysed independently by my students are detailed in their respective publications, most of which can be obtained from our project web site at http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/jpt/pes.html.  (6 pages)

4 Classification of engineering activities and specialist knowledge

This is a table containing a classification of aspects of engineering practice activities and specialist knowledge associated with engineers. (21 pages)

5 Classification of practice concepts and misconceptions

This is a table detailing all the engineering practice concepts and misconceptions presented in the book. Notes provide background on how misconceptions arise and learning strategies that may be appropriate for early-career engineers. (12 pages, PDF, Excel Spreadsheet)

6 Glossary of confusing engineering terms

This is a table presenting a glossary of English words that are also used by engineers, usually in ways that are very different to the normal English language meanings. (13 pages)

7 An Introduction to the language of accounting

A brief introduction to key concepts in accounting that can be helpful for engineers who work with accountants. (7 pages)

8 Seeing is believing: colour illustrations

Two diagrams in full colour presenting visual illusions that help readers to understand that what we see is shaped by what we believe we are seeing (permission to reproduce these diagrams has been obtained in writing). (3 pages)

9 Listening skills worksheet

A checklist to help with listening skills practice exercises.  (2 pages)

10 Learning to see by sketching

An introduction to help readers acquire visual skills by developing their freehand sketching ability.  (44 pages)

11 Life cycle costing guide

A checklist of items to help readers identify components to be considered in estimating the life-cycle cost for an engineering artefact. (2 pages)

12 Quiz and Practice Exercise Self-Evaluation Guides

Chapter 1: Practice Quiz 2 self-evaluation guide

(3 pages)

Chapter 3: Finding the beam loadings self-evaluation guide

(1 page)

Chapter 7: Practice Exercise 9 self-evaluation guide

(2 pages)

Chapter 8: Practice Exercise 16 self-evaluation guide

(1 page)

Chapter 11: Practice Exercise 19 self-evaluation guide

(1 page)