Problem Solving Task

A Problem Solving Task is an analysis task that requires a plan to attain a goal.

• Context:
  • Input: a Problem Statement.
  • output: a Action Plan.
  • performance: task duration, tasks per duration, ...
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Problem-Solving Task to being a Complex Problem-Solving Task.
  • It can range from being a Offline Problem-Solving Task to being a Real-Time Problem-Solving Task.
  • It can range from being a Mechanistic Problem-Solving Task to being an Agent-based Problem-Solving Task.
  • It can range from being a Real-World Problem-Solving Task to being an Synthetic Problem-Solving Task.
  • It can range from being a Manual Problem-Solving Task to being an Automated Problem-Solving Task (solved by a problem solving system).
  • ...
  • It can include a Problem Analysis Task, Problem Solving Planning Task, Problem Solving Resolution Task.
  • It can solved by a Problem Solving Entity (like problem solvers), with problem solving skill level.
  • …
• Example(s):
  • Animal Intelligence Problems, such as:
    • "How can an octopus escape from a sealed jar with a screw-top lid?"
    • "What strategy could a crow use to retrieve a small piece of food floating in a narrow, half-filled water container?"
    • "How might a monkey obtain a banana placed on a high shelf, given only a stick and some building blocks?"
    • "In what way could a dog reach a toy stuck under a heavy piece of furniture?"
    • "How to get the bananas dangling overhead when one has access to stackable boxes?" (This could apply to either humans or animals).
    • ...
  • Human-Centric Problems, such as:
    • "What's the most efficient way to evacuate a 50-story building during a power outage?"
    • ...
  • Technological/Engineering Problems, such as:
    • "How can a space probe safely land on a planet with an unknown surface composition?"
    • "What's the best approach to restore a corrupted database with minimal data loss?"
    • ...
  • General Problem-Solving Tasks, such as:
    • Engineering Task (e.g., software engineering task).
    • Algorithmic Problem Solving Task.
    • Conceptual Problem Solving Task.
    • Computational Problem-Solving Task.
    • Mathematical Problem-Solving Task.
    • Reasoning Task.
  • …
• Counter-Example:
  • a Question Answering.
• See: Decision Making, Problem Solving Heuristic, Intelligence Task, Problem Finding, Problem Shaping, Decision Support, Critical Thinking.

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References

2021

• (Wikipedia, 2021) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/problem_solving Retrieved:2021-12-29.
  • Problem solving consists of using generic or ad hoc methods in an orderly manner to find solutions to difficulties.

    Some of the problem-solving techniques developed and used in philosophy, medicine, societies, mathematics, engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence in general are related to mental problem-solving techniques studied in psychology and cognitive sciences.

2018

• https://kpmathematics.com/2018/10/15/authentic-problem-solving-is-fluid-and-flexible/
  • 

2013a

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_solving#Psychology
  • In psychology, problem solving refers to a state of desire for reaching a definite 'goal' from a present condition that either is not directly moving toward the goal, is far from it, or needs more complex logic for finding a missing description of conditions or steps toward the goal. In psychology, problem solving is the concluding part of a larger process that also includes problem finding and problem shaping.

    Considered the most complex of all intellectual functions, problem solving has been defined as a higher-order cognitive process that requires the modulation and control of more routine or fundamental skills. Problem solving has two major domains: mathematical problem solving and personal problem solving where, in the second, some difficulty or barrier is encountered. Further problem solving occurs when moving from a given state to a desired goal state is needed for either living organisms or an artificial intelligence system.

    While problem solving accompanies the very beginning of human evolution and especially the history of mathematics, the nature of human problem solving processes and methods has been studied by psychologists over the past hundred years. Methods of studying problem solving include introspection, behaviorism, simulation, computer modeling, and experiment. Social psychologists have recently distinguished between independent and interdependent problem-solving (see more).

2013b

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_solving#Computer_Science_and_Algorithmics
  • In computer science and in the part of artificial intelligence that deals with algorithms ("algorithmics"), problem solving encompasses a number of techniques known as algorithms, heuristics, root cause analysis, etc. In these disciplines, problem solving is part of a larger process that encompasses problem determination, de-duplication, analysis, diagnosis, repair, etc.

2009a

• (Wikipedia, 2009) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expert_system
  • … Expert systems may or may not have learning components but a third common element is that once the system is developed it is proven by being placed in the same real world problem solving situation as the human SME, typically as an aid to human workers or a supplement to some information system. …

2009b

• (Wikipedia, 2009) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heuristic
  • Heuristic (hyu-ˈris-tik) is an adjective for methods that help in problem solving, in turn leading to learning and discovery. These methods in most cases employ experimentation and trial-and-error techniques. A heuristic method is particularly used to rapidly come to a solution that is reasonably close to the best possible answer, or 'optimal solution'. Heuristics are "rules of thumb", educated guesses, intuitive judgments or simply common sense. Heuristics (hyu-ˈris-tiks) as a noun is another name for heuristic methods.
  • In more precise terms, heuristics stand for strategies using readily accessible, though loosely applicable, information to control problem solving in human beings and machines. [1] Forensic engineering is an important tool in tracing defects in products and processes.

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