Published Research on Engineering Work

Abstract

Engineering literature mostly focuses on the “objects” and techniques that interest engineers: there are only a few accounts of the people that do engineering work and what that work actually involves. The relevant literature contributes a combination of personal opinion, anecdotal reports, and empirical evidence from quantitative and a few qualitative surveys. Most of the empirical research provides only indirect and limited evidence on engineering work as it is practiced because the survey questions seem to be based on preconceived notions of engineering work. Almost all the papers in the literature that refer to engineering practice aim to provide evidence for changing engineering education or evidence to support a particular set of engineering competencies. From these narrow objectives we can learn a little about engineering work. More empirical evidence is needed before we can work towards a comprehensive understanding, let alone improvement of engineering working methods and practices.