Problem-solving process

Stand the text. That is, I want them to focus on The Whyoi each problem so they will develop a feeling for the behavior of composite materials and structures. I also expect use of appropriate figures that are well discussed. Figures that have not been fully interpreted for the reader are of questionable value and certainly leave room for misinterpretation. Also, I expect students to explain and describe each step in the problem-solving process with physically based reasons and explanations. Moreover, 1 expect observations, comments, and conclusions about what they learned at the end of each problem. I feel such requirements are good training for survival in today s and tomorrow s more competitive world. 

The challenge of wicked problems is exacerbated by social complexity - the number and diversity of stakeholders in the problem-solving process. Social complexity means that the environment of a project team is populated by individuals, other project teams, and other organizations that have the power to undermine the project if their stake is not considered - or if they are not at least included in the thinking and decision-making process [19]. 

After gathering appropriate information about the problem, you will be ready to develop a hypothesis that provides a reasonable explanation of the problem. The hypothesis should be something that you can test. However, keep in mind that, many times, it may be easier to disprove your hypothesis than to prove it. Only after developing a testable hypothesis are we ready to jump to the next step, which begins the truly analytical portion of the problem-solving process. 

The final step in the Problem Solving process is to report the results to the customer with whom you have been working so hard. However, it is not enough to report just the results. The problem is not solved until appropriate recommendations have been made. In the Bulging Drum Problem, these included proper use/disposition of the raw material, changes to raw material specifications, and conversations with the supplier. The problem is not solved until the paperwork (i.e., Memo, Report, Recommendation, etc.) is completed ... 

You can think of the problem-solving process as having four steps read carefully, estimate the answer, plan and then solve, and check. 

Visit the website www.mathcounts.org/probiems/strategies.htmi for a description of the problem-solving process and a list of strategies with example problems and solutions. 

Follow the four recommended steps in the problem-solving process ... 

Figure 16.1 Schematic of iterative problem solving process as given by the quality principles.

The investigation process generally follows a problem solving process sequence. Once the team has developed the specific investigation plan, evidence is gathered. These two activities consume much of the team s time. A typical checklist for the plan is included in Chapter 7. 

A quality driven laboratoiy is constantly seeking the opportunities for improvement arising when problems are encountered and during problem solving processes. Therefore, problem solving techniques should be applied to all areas of the business and all individuals and groups should be encouraged to use them. 

The problems encountered in the laboratory operations are considered as opportunities for improvement. The problem solving process is an excellent tool for people to understand how a process performs and how the laboratory operates. 

The problem solving process starts with the identification of subjects for improvement. Such subjects are then placed in order of priority. The causes of the problem are identified and analyzed and then, data are collected for analysis and evaluation. Various solutions are assessed and the optimal one is selected. 

Another, similar approach to the problem solving process, is the one shown in this slide. Here, the following questions have to be answered ... 

Viewing psychosis as an indeterminate but potentially problem-solving process (rather than a disease process) is consistent with major trends in contemporary psychiatry (Bleuler, 1965 Searles, 1961). As indicated earlier, the effects of LSD on normal subjects has given impetus to the emerging concept of schizophrenia as an orderly, natural sequence of experience that should be permitted to run it course rather than suppressed, arrested, or obliterated. Representative of this trend, Kaplan (1964) describes the outcome of this process ... 

Bowen, C. and G. Bodner (1991) Problem-solving processes used by students in organic synthesis. International Journal of Science Education 13, 143-158. 

What Altshuller did was to remove the subject matter from a patent to uncover the problem solving process. There were three primary findings from this research of the patent literature. 

A very important role in the proliferation and practical use of mathematical chemistry has been played by computers, especially in the last two decades, when the use of computers was extended from numerical computations and data handling to decision-making and logical problem-solving processes. The DENDRAL project, started at Stanford in the 1960s, may serve as an illustrative example [3], It was fairly successful, and strongly influenced the collaboration between chemists, computer scientists, and mathematicians. Many applications of artificial intelligence in chemistry, and especially the construction of expert systems, are natural consequences of this collaboration [4],... 

The task decomposition allows the problem-solving process to be largely decoupled between tasks and also facilitates reasoning about subtasks. An important principle is that tasks plan about and directly manipulate only their immediate subtasks. Recursive application of this principle is the key to integrated behavior of a formulation system as a whole. The task tree is built on dynamically, depending upon the specification at hand as the problem-solving process proceeds. This is different to the object hierarchy where the structure is fixed for a particular domain. 

Determination of the crystal structure of an unknown material is generally far from a straightforward procedure, especially when only powder diffraction data are available. It is truly a problem solving process and not a simple refinement, which often may be fully automated. The latter is a technique, which improves structural parameters of the approximately or partially known model, usually by using a least squares minimization against available diffraction data. It is worth noting that the least squares method is... 

Goes through the problem-solving process step by step, checking, reevaluating, and recycling from dead ends to another valid path... 

Mole-mole problems are sort of like introductory, or skill-building, problems that will help you practice using the molar ratios given by balanced chemical reactions. The harder stoichiometry problems, which we will begin in the next lesson, all make use of mole-mole problems as a step in the problem-solving process. This lesson will give you an opportunity to become comfortable with the molar ratio without worrying about more complex problems at the same time. 

The theoretical solution of a heat transfer problem is structured more clearly when dimensionless variables are used. It is therefore recommended that dimensionless variables should be introduced at the beginning of the problem solving process. The evaluation and representation of the solution will also be simplified by keeping the number of independent variables as small as possible through the use of dimensionless variables and groups. 

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