Problem Solving Division #4 - One of the Major Problem Solving Strategies

Various Organized and Little "Sciences" of Problem Solving

Problem Solving Theory

As mentioned previously, the mental activity steps and stages of SM-4 and SM-14 are subject neutral. However, huge bodies of knowledge have been accumulated about them and the supporting ingredients.

In some areas, organized sciences have developed about some of these. On many subjects, individuals have contributed extensive knowledge about a subject, enough, in many cases, that a little "science" of the subject has developed even though there is not an organized group of professionals with journals and meetings.

Problem Solving Help - the Organized Sciences of Problem Solving

 A list of professional organizations can be found on Wikipedia. These usually have professional journals that contain extensive knowledge and problem solving theory of the areas they cover. These societies usually publish bibliographies or reviews of books in their area of interest. Google's's book search will give you the opportunity to read part or all of these books. Your local library or book store will also have copies of many. In addition, both the Creative Problem Solving Society and the Creative Education Foundation's Creative Problem Solving Institute have websites you can visit.

Problem Solving Help - the Little "Sciences"

The internet has helped greatly in making information available on all organized and unorganized areas of knowledge. Before the internet, it was time consuming to find such a wide area of knowledge. Be sure to take advantage of it.

My specialized work on the scientific method model formula is an example of the development of a little "science." Tons of material has been published about the scientific method, but no one to my knowledge spent years of research on a model formula for it. My work has provided a base for the further development of the scientific method of research, problem solving, and decision making.

Problem Solving Is More Complex Today

The problem solver today is faced with this condition: the world has become much more complex and this process continues at an ever-increasing rate.  The knowledge of many of the individual features of problem solving has increased tremendously in recent years. This will necessitate more specialization by problem solvers. It will require problem solving to be taught across the curriculum from kindergarten through college and university. At the higher levels, it will require courses every year or term.

To improve your problem solving, you should follow this booklet each time you work on a complex problem. The experience you gain about problem solving strategies, techniques, etc. will also aid you in developing your intuition problem solving base.