The Influence Factors on Empirical Knowledge Accumulation of Novice Engineers Based on Complex Cognition Theory

Abstract

Based on the complex cognition theory, the multiple influencing factors of empirical knowledge accumulation in the process of novice engineers' solving complex problems are presented and analyzed, such as: problem context, individual emotion, and individual cognition factors. An experiment originated from a real world engineering design problem is used to illustrate the accumulation process of novice engineers' empirical knowledge. Two questionnaires are used to test the influencing factors. Through statistics analysis and path analysis, the effects and relations of influencing factors in empirical knowledge accumulation of novice engineers are found. These results will help to capture and accumulate empirical knowledge faster for novice engineers.