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The concept of stratification (CST) has recently been proposed as an innovative approach in problem solving. CST takes a recursive approach to solve problems. It considers a system which has to transition through states until it arrives to a state which belongs to a desired set of states, namely a target set. The states can be stratified by enlarging the target (absorbing adjacent states). Incremental enlargement is a means to identify possible paths to achieve the target. Such an enlargement can also be used to degrade the target when the original target is not reachable. Although the characteristics of the concept, such as incremental enlargement, enhance its potential application in robotics, artificial intelligence, and planning and monitoring, there is a major shortcoming in the approach, namely its inability to consider targets of unequal importance. This study considers two targets of unequal importance for the system in CST, labelled Bi-Objective CST model (BOCST). In comparison with the original proposed CST model in this research, a version of CST with finite states which is much easier to apply than the original CST is proposed, labelled fuzzy CST. Following that, a combination of Fuzzy CST and BOCST (FBO-CST) is proposed. The model is then employed to address a restaurant selection problem using data from Google. The example illustrates how the model should be applied in a big data environment. By defining finite state CST and considering targets of unequal importance, this study is expected to facilitate future applications of CST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The A3 method is a systematic problem solving and continuous improvement approach, which was first employed at the company Toyota. The paper presents possibilities of using the method for searching and effective implementing green innovations in an industrial company transport. Advantages and potential problems related to the method utilization are identified on the basis of a case study focused on technological innovations in ŠKODA AUTO internal transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it is widely believed that inducing a change in mental perspective through personal identification with an object facilitates problem solving, empirical evidence that supports this thesis is limited. The present study aimed at recognition of factors determining the effectiveness of personal identification by verifying the efficiency of a new technique of creative problem solving called Revolution. Forty-six subjects participating in the naturalistic study were randomly assigned to five experimental groups testing several versions of Revolution. The following factors were manipulated: personal identification (presence versus lack of identification), problem type (abstract versus specific) and time lag between the preparation stage (preparing the project) and the execution stage. Solutions generated by different groups were evaluated by a team of eight competent judges using the Creative Product Semantic Scale. There was no difference in the overall quality of the solutions when problem type variable was under consideration. Surprisingly, identification appeared to have a negative impact on product creativity (as evaluated by the judges). Detailed analyses revealed that the negative influence of personal identification was limited to specific task conditions, implying that it can be neutralized by separating the preparation from execution stage. The implications of the present results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legal reasoning is a type of problem solving, and is situated within thinking skills, one of the six threshold learning outcomes established under the auspices of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council's Bachelor of Laws Learning and Teaching Academic Standards Statement. The threshold learning outcomes define what law graduates are 'expected to know, understand and be able to do as a result of learning' (Kiff et al., 2010, p. 9). The assessment of legal reasoning, and thus problem solving, should receive greater attention in legal education discourse (James, 2011, p. 15, James, 2012, p. 88). The dominant approach for problem-based questions in the discipline of law over the last 40 years is IRC (issue, rule, application and conclusion). The acronym IRC is not offensive and potentially instils a positive professional legal identity and is a student-centred approach to problem solving. This journal article documents an incremental approach to IRC in law where first year students answer a problem-based law question using a grid format before preparing a barrister's advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a design execution method introduced by operational planning teams (OPT) for problem framing within the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP). Topics discussed include assisting commanders to visualize, understand and describe operational environment for solving problems through designs, estimating stakeholder analysis as carrier for design implementation by OPT and execution of design for problem solving by OPT rather than using logical tool.

The article discusses changes involving legal problem-solving methods in relation to topics such as non-adversarial justice, therapeutic jurisprudence, and the possible role of law as a healing agent, and it mentions compassion, drug courts, and criminal justice in New Zealand.

Creative problem solving (CPS) requires solutions to be useful and original. Typically, its operations span problem finding, idea generation, and critical evaluation. The benefits of training CPS have been extolled in education, industry, and government with evidence showing it can enhance performance. However, although such training schemes work, less is known about the specific tools used. Knowing whether a particular tool works or not would provide practitioners with a valuable resource, leading to more effective training schemes, and a better understanding of the processes involved. A comprehensive review was undertaken examining the empirical support of tools used within CPS. Despite the surprising lack of research focusing on the use and success of specific tools, some evidence exists to support the effectiveness of a small set. Such findings present practitioners with a potential resource that could be used in a stand-alone setting or possibly be combined to create more effective training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of RED - Revista de Educación a Distancia is the property of Universidad de Murcia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article reports data from a primarily qualitative study of Baltimore City's Specialized Diversion Program (SPD), an alternative criminal justice response to prostitution grounded in problem-solving models of justice. Data were drawn from observations of interactions between participants and SPD staff and semistructured interviews with twenty-one SPD clients. These were supplemented with data on prostitution arrestees’ demographics (N= 616) over a thirteen-month period and SPD eligibility, program uptake, and completion (N= 431) over a nine-month period. All respondents exhibited a dire need for assistance with concerns such as severe mental health problems, health conditions, addiction, poverty, and limited educational and employment opportunities. They expressed the importance of compassionate and dignified service delivery and a sense of meaningful accomplishment upon completion, all of which support a problem-solving model. Despite the assistance they received and their strong support for the program, many still remained in situations that could undermine the achievements they attained in the SPD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a proposal to assist the generation of prospective scenarios of use in the early stages of product design. Topics discussed include factors that contributed to the surge of interest in Prospective Ergonomics, creativity tools to generate prospective scenarios of use, and a theory on inventive problem-solving (TRIZ). Also mentioned are the effects of creative problem solving methods on ideational originality and the effects of TRIZ tools on prospective scenarios generation.

Introduction: The client-therapist relationship has long been viewed as important for both the process and outcomes of occupational therapy. The recently developed Intentional Relationship Model introduced six therapeutic modes as different ways of relating to clients. Increasing students' awareness of modes, and increasing their skills in using them flexibly, has the potential of improving their subsequent practice as occupational therapists. This article aims to describe occupational therapy students' affiliation with the therapeutic modes in a variety of hypothesized practice situations. In addition, relationships between the students' affiliation with the different modes are explored. Method: The study had a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 31 occupational therapy students in Norway, using the Self-Assessment of Modes Questionnaire. Descriptive analyses, repeated measures ANOVA tests, and correlation analyses were employed in the analytic procedures. Findings: The students identified the problem-solving mode to be their most preferred way of relating to clients, whereas the advocating mode was the least preferred. High affiliation with the problem-solving mode was significantly associated with low affiliation with the collaborating mode. Conclusion: Several limitations indicate that caution should be taken when comparing this study with previous research. Nonetheless, differences between the results of this study and previous work on the therapeutic modes are of interest. Possible explanations for differences are discussed, as are implications for practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Calidoscópio is the property of Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Short-term approaches or patch working are the predominant modes of solving process-related problems in organizations. As a result, problems recur at regular intervals and inhibit their smooth functioning. Organizational leaders have adopted various quality initiatives to produce sustainable change, but the existing literature suggests that many of them have met with limited success. The ‘A3 Process’, adapted from Toyota Motor Corporation, has been proposed as a pragmatic problem-solving technique for creating sustainable organizational change. Observing, drawing iconic sketches, discussing with other stakeholders, and experimenting has helped each stakeholder gain a deeper, contextualized understanding of the problem. These activities influenced knowledge validation and/or knowledge creation, both instrumental in transforming the stakeholder’s passive mindset to a collaborative and active mindset. This article presents one of the many applications of the A3 Process that produced enduring change in a health care environment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The authors discuss the importance of using design thinking in evidence-based practice (EBP) to help libraries handle the wicked problems of technological evolution. The authors argue that design thinking allows for problem solving, where inspiration, ideation, and implementation stages lead to a solution design. They suggest that a human focused EBP is more effective than a literature centered EBP, and a hybrid model of EBP and design thinking incorporates evidence-based innovation.

Abstract: Experiences of teaching under-graduate students and training industrial engineers on how to think creatively in problem solving are reported. The contents are based on the TRIZ methodology but have been further reorganized and unified into USIT (Unified Structured Inventive Thinking) for easier to learn and apply. Case studies, published by engineers in technologies and obtained by students for everyday-life problems, are found useful in both teaching/training situations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Experiences of teaching under-graduate students and training industrial engineers on how to think creatively in problem solving are reported. The contents are based on the TRIZ methodology but have been further reorganized and unified into USIT (Unified Structured Inventive Thinking) for easier to learn and apply. Case studies, published by engineers in technologies and obtained by students for everyday-life problems, are found useful in both teaching/training situations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents some examples of problem solving methods from precalculus and calculus I courses. In an algebraic equation involving two square roots, students are taught to solve it by isolating one of the radicals and squaring each side of the resulting equation. It illustrates various methods of solving equations, including standard method, algebraic method, brute force method and elimination method. It also describes the look before you leap method.