# Engineering the Future: Evaluation of Virtual Reality Across Project Lifecycle Stages
## 3 Methodology  
### Research Design and Instrument Development  
This study employed a quantitative research approach to systematically explore the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) technology in enhancing systems engineering processes throughout the complete project lifecycle. This methodological approach was selected to ensure objectivity, generate measurable data, and enable statistically reliable analysis of how professionals perceive the practicality and usefulness of VR applications across various development stages. The investigation focused on eight distinct stages within the project lifecycle: Offering and Recruiting Investors, Specification and Definition of Requirements, Concept Formulation, Design and Surveys, Development, Testing, Guidance, and Maintenance. These stages reflect the chronological progression of real-world engineering projects and provide a comprehensive structure for evaluating the perceived utility of VR throughout a project's evolution. These eight stages were selected based on a synthesis of established systems engineering lifecycle models [56] and were validated through experts' consultation during the instrument development phase. While other potential phases such as system deployment, operational use, or decommissioning exist in broader lifecycle frameworks, they were either conceptually included under the selected categories (e.g., operational aspects under Maintenance and onboarding under Training) or deemed less relevant for evaluating the perceived practicality of VR. The selected stages represent the most critical points where immersive technologies are expected to offer practical value across diverse engineering contexts. To gather the required raw data, a structured questionnaire was developed. The development process began with semi-structured interviews with VR and systems engineering experts, which informed the initial version of the questionnaire. This version was then evaluated by additional domain experts, who assessed each item for clarity and relevance to the predefined research questions. Open-ended feedback and suggestions for alternative phrasings were also collected. Based on their responses and insights, a revised version of the questionnaire was constructed. This experts validation process supported the content validity of the instrument. Additionally, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate item clarity and structure, contributing to the reliability of the questionnaire prior to full-scale deployment. The questionnaire aimed to collect detailed information in three key areas: the demographic background of participants, their professional experience, and their assessment of VR's practicality across the identified lifecycle stages. Demographic items included information regarding gender, age, education level, and field of specialization. To contextualize professional perspectives, respondents were also asked to report their organizational affiliation, years of experience, and current professional roles. The core of the instrument focused on measuring perceived practicality of VR during each of the eight lifecycle stages using a five-point Likert scale ranging from \"not practical at all\" to \"highly practical\". A pilot study was conducted with a small sample of professionals to evaluate the clarity, structure, and usability of the questionnaire. Based on the feedback received, revisions and refining were made to ensure that the wording was clear, the sequence of questions logical, and the format user-friendly. This step was essential to establish the validity and reliability of the research instrument before broad distribution. The finalized questionnaire was administered to a purposive sample of 56 professionals who met the inclusion criteria, specifically individuals with relevant experience in systems engineering and project management and familiarity with at least several of the project lifecycle stages under investigation.