{"id":"https://openalex.org/W7157048779","doi":"https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2604.24521","title":"How Do Software Engineering Students Use Generative AI in Real-World Capstone Projects? An Empirical Baseline Study","display_name":"How Do Software Engineering Students Use Generative AI in Real-World Capstone Projects? An Empirical Baseline Study","publication_year":2026,"publication_date":"2026-04-27","ids":{"openalex":"https://openalex.org/W7157048779","doi":"https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2604.24521"},"language":null,"primary_location":{"id":"doi:10.48550/arxiv.2604.24521","is_oa":true,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2604.24521","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306400194","display_name":"arXiv (Cornell University)","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":true,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I205783295","host_organization_name":"Cornell University","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I205783295"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":null,"license_id":null,"version":null,"is_accepted":false,"is_published":false,"raw_source_name":null,"raw_type":"Preprint"},"type":"preprint","indexed_in":["datacite"],"open_access":{"is_oa":true,"oa_status":"green","oa_url":"https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2604.24521","any_repository_has_fulltext":true},"authorships":[{"author_position":"first","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5123833378","display_name":"Michael Mircea","orcid":null},"institutions":[],"countries":[],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Mircea, Michael","raw_affiliation_strings":[],"raw_orcid":null,"affiliations":[]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5110423593","display_name":"Elisa Schmid","orcid":null},"institutions":[],"countries":[],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Schmid, Elisa","raw_affiliation_strings":[],"raw_orcid":null,"affiliations":[]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5092161936","display_name":"Jakob Droste","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8746-6329"},"institutions":[],"countries":[],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Droste, Jakob","raw_affiliation_strings":[],"raw_orcid":null,"affiliations":[]},{"author_position":"last","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5134778590","display_name":"Kurt Schneider","orcid":null},"institutions":[],"countries":[],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Schneider, Kurt","raw_affiliation_strings":[],"raw_orcid":null,"affiliations":[]}],"institutions":[],"countries_distinct_count":0,"institutions_distinct_count":0,"corresponding_author_ids":[],"corresponding_institution_ids":[],"apc_list":null,"apc_paid":null,"fwci":null,"has_fulltext":false,"cited_by_count":0,"citation_normalized_percentile":null,"cited_by_percentile_year":null,"biblio":{"volume":null,"issue":null,"first_page":null,"last_page":null},"is_retracted":false,"is_paratext":false,"is_xpac":false,"primary_topic":{"id":"https://openalex.org/T10883","display_name":"Ethics and Social Impacts of AI","score":0.20000000298023224,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/3311","display_name":"Safety Research"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/33","display_name":"Social Sciences"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/2","display_name":"Social Sciences"}},"topics":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/T10883","display_name":"Ethics and Social Impacts of AI","score":0.20000000298023224,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/3311","display_name":"Safety Research"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/33","display_name":"Social Sciences"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/2","display_name":"Social Sciences"}},{"id":"https://openalex.org/T10430","display_name":"Software Engineering Techniques and Practices","score":0.149399995803833,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/1710","display_name":"Information Systems"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/17","display_name":"Computer Science"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/3","display_name":"Physical Sciences"}},{"id":"https://openalex.org/T11636","display_name":"Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education","score":0.13300000131130219,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/2718","display_name":"Health Informatics"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/27","display_name":"Medicine"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/4","display_name":"Health Sciences"}}],"keywords":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/baseline","display_name":"Baseline (sea)","score":0.6628000140190125},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/capstone","display_name":"Capstone","score":0.5910999774932861},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/consistency","display_name":"Consistency (knowledge bases)","score":0.5295000076293945},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/capstone-course","display_name":"Capstone course","score":0.5026000142097473},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/empirical-research","display_name":"Empirical research","score":0.4339999854564667},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/generative-grammar","display_name":"Generative grammar","score":0.4244999885559082},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/software-development","display_name":"Software development","score":0.42100000381469727},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/software","display_name":"Software","score":0.4083000123500824},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/component","display_name":"Component (thermodynamics)","score":0.3824000060558319},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/status-quo","display_name":"Status quo","score":0.359499990940094}],"concepts":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/C12725497","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q810247","display_name":"Baseline (sea)","level":2,"score":0.6628000140190125},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2778293151","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5036367","display_name":"Capstone","level":2,"score":0.5910999774932861},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2776436953","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5163215","display_name":"Consistency (knowledge bases)","level":2,"score":0.5295000076293945},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C115903868","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80993","display_name":"Software engineering","level":1,"score":0.5234000086784363},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C41008148","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21198","display_name":"Computer science","level":0,"score":0.5217999815940857},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2778302894","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16851934","display_name":"Capstone course","level":3,"score":0.5026000142097473},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C120936955","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2155640","display_name":"Empirical research","level":2,"score":0.4339999854564667},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C39890363","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q36108","display_name":"Generative grammar","level":2,"score":0.4244999885559082},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C56739046","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192060","display_name":"Knowledge management","level":1,"score":0.42160001397132874},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C529173508","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q638608","display_name":"Software development","level":3,"score":0.42100000381469727},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2777904410","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7397","display_name":"Software","level":2,"score":0.4083000123500824},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C168167062","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1117970","display_name":"Component (thermodynamics)","level":2,"score":0.3824000060558319},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2776748549","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q201610","display_name":"Status quo","level":2,"score":0.359499990940094},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C27415008","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7256382","display_name":"Psychological intervention","level":2,"score":0.3521000146865845},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C182500959","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7551380","display_name":"Social software engineering","level":5,"score":0.35199999809265137},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C177212765","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q627335","display_name":"Workflow","level":2,"score":0.3490999937057495},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C44416564","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7554199","display_name":"Software Engineering Process Group","level":5,"score":0.3458000123500824},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C74579156","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7554342","display_name":"Software peer review","level":5,"score":0.3391999900341034},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C110354214","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6314146","display_name":"Engineering management","level":1,"score":0.3330000042915344},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C158154518","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7310970","display_name":"Relevance (law)","level":2,"score":0.31380000710487366},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C180152950","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2904257","display_name":"Software development process","level":4,"score":0.2922999858856201},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C39890963","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1702721","display_name":"Personal software process","level":5,"score":0.2879999876022339},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C186846655","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3398377","display_name":"Software construction","level":4,"score":0.28690001368522644},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2522767166","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2374463","display_name":"Data science","level":1,"score":0.2849999964237213},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C127413603","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11023","display_name":"Engineering","level":0,"score":0.2782000005245209},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C509550671","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126945","display_name":"Medical education","level":1,"score":0.27799999713897705},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C198477413","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7647069","display_name":"Survey data collection","level":2,"score":0.2766000032424927},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C195094911","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14167904","display_name":"Process management","level":1,"score":0.27059999108314514},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2776035688","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1606558","display_name":"Affect (linguistics)","level":2,"score":0.2696000039577484},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C547764534","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8236","display_name":"Literacy","level":2,"score":0.2639999985694885},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C105339364","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2297740","display_name":"Software deployment","level":2,"score":0.26330000162124634},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C22607594","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5375150","display_name":"Enabling","level":2,"score":0.2623000144958496},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C55587333","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1133029","display_name":"Engineering ethics","level":1,"score":0.2590999901294708},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2780801425","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5164392","display_name":"Construct (python library)","level":2,"score":0.25769999623298645},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C37228920","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1307600","display_name":"Experiential learning","level":2,"score":0.2572000026702881},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C15744967","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9418","display_name":"Psychology","level":0,"score":0.2517000138759613},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2780224610","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1530061","display_name":"Credibility","level":2,"score":0.2506999969482422},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C6604083","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q376937","display_name":"Requirements engineering","level":3,"score":0.25060001015663147}],"mesh":[],"locations_count":1,"locations":[{"id":"doi:10.48550/arxiv.2604.24521","is_oa":true,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2604.24521","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306400194","display_name":"arXiv (Cornell University)","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":true,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I205783295","host_organization_name":"Cornell University","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I205783295"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":null,"license_id":null,"version":null,"is_accepted":false,"is_published":null,"raw_source_name":null,"raw_type":"Preprint"}],"best_oa_location":{"id":"doi:10.48550/arxiv.2604.24521","is_oa":true,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2604.24521","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306400194","display_name":"arXiv (Cornell University)","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":true,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I205783295","host_organization_name":"Cornell University","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I205783295"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":null,"license_id":null,"version":null,"is_accepted":false,"is_published":false,"raw_source_name":null,"raw_type":"Preprint"},"sustainable_development_goals":[{"id":"https://metadata.un.org/sdg/4","score":0.8847347497940063,"display_name":"Quality Education"}],"awards":[],"funders":[],"has_content":{"pdf":false,"grobid_xml":false},"content_urls":null,"referenced_works_count":0,"referenced_works":[],"related_works":[],"abstract_inverted_index":{"Real-world":[0],"Capstone":[1],"Projects":[2],"(RWCPs)":[3],"are":[4,59,66,82],"a":[5,98,163,174,235],"key":[6],"component":[7],"of":[8,47,101,165,246],"software":[9,16,53,170],"engineering":[10,171],"education,":[11],"enabling":[12],"students":[13,58,114,138],"to":[14,61],"develop":[15],"for":[17,92,198,213,220,239],"external":[18],"clients":[19],"under":[20],"authentic":[21],"conditions.":[22],"Their":[23],"high":[24],"ecological":[25],"validity,":[26],"combined":[27],"with":[28,126],"substantial":[29],"variation":[30],"in":[31,68,79,105,116,243],"domains,":[32],"technologies,":[33],"and":[34,39,77,146,149,151,157,183,188,207,210,228],"stakeholders,":[35],"typically":[36],"requires":[37],"flexible":[38],"minimally":[40],"prescriptive":[41],"teaching":[42],"approaches.":[43],"The":[44,110],"rapid":[45],"integration":[46],"generative":[48],"AI":[49,63,225],"(GenAI)":[50],"into":[51],"professional":[52],"development":[54],"adds":[55],"new":[56],"challenges:":[57],"expected":[60],"use":[62,72,104,128,144,181,200],"tools":[64],"that":[65,81],"common":[67],"practice,":[69],"yet":[70,84],"unguided":[71],"may":[73],"affect":[74],"learning,":[75],"collaboration,":[76],"consistency":[78],"ways":[80],"not":[83],"well":[85],"understood.":[86],"To":[87],"establish":[88],"an":[89,106],"empirical":[90],"baseline":[91,238],"responsible":[93],"GenAI":[94,103,127,166,199],"integration,":[95],"we":[96],"conducted":[97],"large-scale":[99],"study":[100,233],"self-determined":[102],"undergraduate":[107],"RWCP":[108],"course.":[109],"module":[111],"involved":[112],"178":[113],"working":[115],"18":[117],"teams":[118],"across":[119,168],"15":[120],"client":[121,153,193],"projects":[122],"over":[123],"four":[124],"months,":[125],"explicitly":[129],"permitted.":[130],"We":[131],"collected":[132],"mixed-method":[133],"survey":[134],"data":[135,208],"from":[136],"150":[137],"on":[139],"attitudes,":[140],"usage":[141],"prevalence,":[142],"workflows,":[143],"cases,":[145],"perceived":[147],"benefits":[148],"risks,":[150],"surveyed":[152],"stakeholders":[154],"regarding":[155,204],"expectations":[156,203],"concerns.":[158],"Our":[159],"findings":[160],"provide":[161],"(1)":[162],"characterization":[164],"practices":[167],"the":[169,218,244],"lifecycle,":[172],"including":[173,217],"distinction":[175],"between":[176],"emerging":[177],"workflows;":[178],"(2)":[179],"student-recommended":[180],"cases":[182],"responsible-use":[184,222],"directives":[185],"emphasizing":[186],"verification":[187],"maintaining":[189],"independent":[190],"understanding;":[191],"(3)":[192],"perspectives":[194],"highlighting":[195],"strong":[196],"support":[197],"but":[201],"clear":[202],"understanding,":[205],"quality,":[206],"protection;":[209],"(4)":[211],"implications":[212],"future":[214],"course":[215],"iterations,":[216],"need":[219],"explicit":[221],"guidelines,":[223],"targeted":[224],"literacy":[226],"resources,":[227],"team-level":[229],"governance":[230],"roles.":[231],"This":[232],"offers":[234],"status":[236],"quo":[237],"evidence-based":[240],"pedagogical":[241],"interventions":[242],"era":[245],"GenAI.":[247]},"counts_by_year":[],"updated_date":"2026-07-01T06:00:48.157686","created_date":"2026-04-29T00:00:00"}