Date of Award

5-1995

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

The problem of this study was to determine the entry level knowledge and skills required of technicians by the composite materials industry. The objectives of this study were to determine: (a) cognitive knowledge, (b) psychomotor skills, and (c) affective skills of composite technicians entering the composite materials industry.

This study used an analytical survey method and was implemented using an interview process. The survey consisted of fifty statements that pertained to cognitive knowledge, psychomotor skills, and affective skills. Data generated from the survey were collected using a Likert scale.

The population was divided into three subgroups: (a) past graduates of the composites Technology program at Winona Technical College, (b) advisory committee members of the Composites Technology program at Winona Technical College, and (c) technical managers of regional composites industries. There were ten participants in each subgroup.

Data generated from the survey was used to: (a) determine what skills and knowledge were applicable to an entry level composite technician, (b) determine the importance of skills and knowledge concepts, (c) determine the mean score of the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective categories, and (c) determine the overall points accumulation for each subgroup. The one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was the statistical method used to test for significant differences among the three subgroups concerning points accumulation.

The researcher concluded, based on the findings of the study, that: (a) there were several skills currently taught in the Composites Technology curriculum that did not apply to an entry level composite technician, (b) sixty six percent of the statements from the survey were considered important or very important, (c) the overall mean score of the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective categories from the three subgroups met industry expectations, and (d) there were no differences between the three subgroups in points accumulation.

Download

Share

COinS