Scientific Thinking (05)

Problem Solving

- Problem solving is the act of defining a problem;

determining the cause of the problem; identifying,
prioritizing, and selecting alternatives for a
solution; and implementing a solution.
- Solving problems requires making decisions.
- The task for the decision maker usually involves
choosing the "best" alternative.
- Decisions also involve uncertainty because we
cannot know in advance the consequences of our
actions.
- Decision making is an active process. The
decision maker takes responsibility for his own
future.

Steps of Problem Solving:

1. Problem definition (Interest): the thinker becomes
aware of the problem and his interest is aroused .
2. Problem analysis (Attention): the problem is
formulated and the relevant data collected and
examined .
3. Generate possible solutions (Suggestions):
possible solutions to the problem begin to
suggest themselves to the thinker .

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Scientific Thinking (05)

4. Analyzing the solutions (Reasoning): the

consequences of each suggested solution are
worked out .
5. Selecting the solution (Conclusion): the most
satisfactory solution is adopted .
6. Test: the adopted suggestion is submitted to trial.

A Checklist for Scientific Reasoning

1. All scientific reasoning has a PURPOSE.
2. All scientific reasoning is an attempt to figure something out, to
settle some scientific QUESTION, to solve some scientific
PROBLEB.
3. All scientific reasoning is based on ASSUMPTIONS
4. All scientific reasoning is done from some POINT OF VIEW.
5. All scientific reasoning is based on scientific DATA,
INFORMATION, and EVIDENCE.
6. All scientific reasoning is expressed through, and shaped by,
scientific CONCEPTS and IDEAS.
7. All scientific reasoning contains INFERENCES or
INTERPRETATIONS by which we draw scientific
CONCLUSIONS and give meaning to scientific data.
8. All scientific reasoning leads somewhere or has
IMPLICATIONS and CONSEQUENCES

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Scientific Thinking (05)

:‫** أهم الكلمات‬

Eng. Ar.
Interest
‫اهتمام‬
Becomes aware
‫يصير واعيا‬
Attention
‫انتباه‬
Satisfactory
‫مرضي‬
is submitted to trial
‫يتم تجريبه‬
Checklist
‫قائمة تدقيق‬
Assumptions
‫افتراضات‬
Evidence
‫دليل‬
inferences
‫استدالالت‬
interpretations
‫تفسيرات‬
consequences
‫نتائج مباشرة‬
implications
‫نتائج غير مباشرة‬