https://hdl.handle.net/10259/5498 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:36:11 GMT 2026-04-17T10:36:11Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11484 Effectiveness of Temporal Survey-Based Programs for Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in Engineering Courses: Analysis of Final Assessments Revilla Cuesta, Víctor; Hernando Revenga, Manuel; Martín Para, Ismael; Skaf Revenga, Marta; Ortega López, Vanesa Peer- and self-critical skills are key to properly performing engineering work, as they allow engineering students to develop critical thinking regarding the quality standards required in this professional field. This research aimed to determine whether educational experiences based on temporal survey-based programs enabled the successful development of these skills in students enrolled in six courses in the final years of their engineering degrees. To this end, an educational experience of such a nature was implemented throughout a complete academic year, aimed at fostering peer- and self-critical skills through continuous formative assessment. The experience involved six student presentations evaluated by both teachers and peers using a Likert-scale survey encompassing four dimensions: explanatory ability, file quality, attitude, and overall assessment. Subsequently, these assessments were provided to students to encourage reflection on the scores assigned and their own work. The results revealed strong alignment between teacher and peer evaluations, with average deviations below 7%, demonstrating effective development of peer-critical competences. These results were also verified by means of analyses of variance. The greatest consistency was found in “explanatory ability” and “overall assessment,” while “file quality” and “attitude” showed wider variability, experience playing a key role in their precise evaluation. Peer evaluations tended to be more uniform than teachers’, reflecting students’ limited experience in discerning subtle performance differences. Additionally, 30% of students expressed willingness to repeat their final presentation to achieve a higher grade, evidencing substantial self-critical reflection. Qualitative analysis conducted through deductive cross-coding indicated that this motivation stemmed from both intrinsic self-improvement and peer-related responsibility. Overall, the results confirm that sustained peer- and self-assessment activities can effectively cultivate critical thinking skills among engineering students, although continuous practice is required to consolidate these competences. Future research could explore the more adequate course types, and students’ ages to perform such kind of educational experiences. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11484 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/9595 Improving the adhesion of satin XPS to sandstone with customized polyurethane adhesives for sustainable facade cladding and thermal insulation Miguel Ortega, Alvaro; González Moreno, Sara; González Martín, José Manuel; Arroyo Sanz, Raquel; García García, Félix Clemente; Trigo López, Miriam; Vallejos Calzada, Saúl Six PU adhesives were synthesised with two different polyols (PPG and PEG based) of three molecular weights, namely 400, 1000 and 2000 g mol−1, and MDI, to prepare sandstone-XPS isolating façade panels. The chemical structure, thermal properties, and adhesion properties in the preparation of the panels were evaluated. Both sandstone and XPS are commonly used materials in construction due to their excellent insulating properties, durability, flexibility, water resistance, and aesthetic appeal, making them environmentally attractive. The industry trend is towards using sanded XPS in these panels, as better adhesion is achieved with typical adhesives compared to satin or unsanded XPS. However, this entails waste generation from sanding, a higher panel price and a difference in adhesive consumption from 309 g m−2 to 684 g m−2 for unsanded (or satin) and sanded XPS, respectively. In this study, all prepared panels exhibit good adhesion properties, even those made with satin XPS. Panels prepared from PPG-based adhesives show better adhesion performance than those made from PEG, reaching 0.52 ± 0.07 N mm−2 with the 1000 g mol−1 PPG polyol-based adhesive. These highest adhesion properties are due to the optimal balance of flexible and rigid segments in the polymer material structure. The adhesive maintains its high performance even after harsh temperature and humidity conditions. After accelerated ageing with heat, cold and water, the probes retain between 65 and 71 % of the original tensile strength (0.34 ± 0.03, 0.35 ± 0.07 and 0.37 ± 0.01 N mm−2, respectively). This finding suggests an interesting starting point for cost savings associated with sanding and reduction in XPS waste generation, making them economically and environmentally appealing. Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/9595 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/9593 Dataset of the work "UBU-Polymers Research Group 19022024" Miguel Ortega, Alvaro; González Moreno, Sara; González Martín, José Manuel; Arroyo Sanz, Raquel; García García, Félix Clemente; Trigo López, Miriam; Vallejos Calzada, Saúl The dataset contains all raw data of the work "Improving the adhesion of satin XPS to sandstone with customized polyurethane adhesives for sustainable facade cladding and thermal insulation" Mon, 07 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/9593 2024-10-07T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/9038 The influence of employee training and information on the probability of accident rates Mariscal Saldaña, Miguel Ángel; López Perea, Eva María; López García, José Ramón; Herrera, Sixto; García Herrero, Susana The construction industry is one of the most important socio-economic sectors of the Spanish economy and one of the most affected by workplace accidents. An analysis of the data on accident rates is needed, in order to identify variables related with workplace accidents and to define the measures that need to be taken for their reduction. In this study, an analysis is conducted using Bayesian Networks and data from the 7th National Survey on Working Conditions (VII NSWC), to study the relations between workplace accidents, visiting a doctor for occupational reasons, time in the company/sector, information that workers have on workplace risks in the workplace, and information and training on workplace risks that workers have received over the past two years. The NSWC survey, which is conducted every four years, was administered to 8892 workers, in Spain, in 2011. The values derived from the analysis yield certain implications involving the aforementioned variables and how to reduce the probability of workplace accidents. From among the variables under study, information on workplace risks is the most important, with the probability of suffering an accident in the construction industry doubling when such information is insufficient. In accordance with the results, these implications could also help with decision-making focused on improvements to training and on-the-job information, intended both to prevent and to reduce workplace accidents. Mon, 01 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/9038 2019-07-01T00:00:00Z