Supporting Ingredient 12: Creative, Non-logical, Logical, and Technical Methods

Supporting Ingredient 12

Creative, Non-logical, Logical, and Technical Methods

Problem Solving Methods - Action Type

The word method can mean many things. “Method” as used in the title of SM-14 means the steps or stages of problem solving. At Ingredient 12, the problem solving methods described are action types that are applied directly to problem solving at every step or stage of the complete method of creative problem solving - the scientific method.

Problem solving methods at Ingredient 12 include such elements and auxiliary actions as:

It should be understood that there is not an exact line dividing types of methods, as one type often blends into another. The use of illumination can produce a creative method, a non-logical one (e.g., a wild guess), a logical one, or a technical one.

There is a huge number of problem solving methods

While there are only 11 major steps or stages to problem solving, there is a very large number of methods used at these steps or stages.
There are hundreds of common or frequently used problem solving methods.
Thousands of new methods are developed each day.
In fact, there are so many problem solving methods that all I can do here is describe the basic types.

Creative Problem Solving Methods

Creativity often involves a combination of old ideas to produce a new idea or solution.
A body of methods has developed for improving creativity.
Four important creative problem solving methods are reflective thinking, rest illumination, triggers, and brainstorming.

Non-logical Problem Solving Methods

While it may not be “scientific” to use non-logical methods, nevertheless, in actual practice scientists and all problem solvers are always using them. Time if often the main reason these are used. Some non-logical methods result from pure guess, habits, emotions, trial and error, arbitrariness, haste, frustration, closed-mindedness, experimenting, unreasoned opinions, risk taking, intuition, etc. Be alert to whether these methods affect your results favorably or unfavorably.

Logical Problem Solving Methods (in the broadest sense)

Any method based on sound reasoning is classified here as logical. Some researchers may apply logical methods based on accepted rules of reasoning standardized by logicians. Usually, however, people use “semi-intuitive” logic resulting from their base of experiences, thinking skills, and knowledge. Examples of well-known analytical problem solving methods based on reasoning and experience are

Technical Problem Solving Methods

No standard exists to determine what problem solving methods to term “technical.” A method involving measuring, mathematics, use of tools, instruments, and apparatus can be termed “technical.” Some authors point out that these technical methods are really the only ones that can accurately be called methods of science or scientific methods, since most others are used in all fields.

Need to Understand These Terms

The scientific method - scientific methods - scientifically

There is a lot of misunderstanding in the use of the above terms. Often people saying use “scientific methods” or do something “scientifically” mean follow the scientific method.

In Introduction to Logic (1982), Irving M. Copi (1917–2002), philosopher, educator, and author of books on logic, says:

As the term “scientific” is generally used today, it refers to any reasoning which attempts to proceed from observable facts of experience to reasonable (that is, relevant and testable) explanations for those facts. The scientific method is not confined to professional scientists; anyone can be said to be proceeding scientifically who follows the general pattern of reasoning from evidence to conclusions that can be tested by experience. The skilled detective is a scientist in this sense, as are most of us - in our more rational moments, at least.

Remember as You Proceed in Using Problem Solving Methods

A “method” in the title of SM-14 represents steps or stages. A “method” here is the one that actually produces results when directly applied.

Learn some of the important and commonly used problem solving action methods, such as controlling variables.
Originate your own methods that will help you as you go through stages 1-11.
Build your own intuitive base.

Next in Ingredient 13. . . Problem solving methods are effective, but only if they are applied properly. Next we consider factors in how they should be applied properly