Reports on an exploratory study to examine problem formulation and to isolate factors that influence it. Four areas were addressed: how organizations become aware of problems, the methods of inquiry, the influence of managers, and the emergent themes that characterize problem formation in organizations. (Author/IRT)

A statistical technique designed to highlight the contributions of two continuous predictor variables to a continuous criterion variable is described. The technique involves selecting subpopulations, called pockets, via regression techniques. An example using cognitive styles to predict performance on problem-solving tasks is discussed.…

The problem-solving performance of elderly individuals was facilitated by manipulating the demands of problem-solving tasks. The fact that elderly individuals can use more efficient strategies under certain circumstances suggests that the elderly have such strategies in their repertoires. (Author)

Describes a study of undergraduates that investigated the effects of providing access to a case library of related stories while solving ill-structured problems. Describes experimental, comparable, and control group treatments and discusses results of multiple-choice tests and short answer questions. (Author/LRW)

This study assessed the effects of learning logo computer programing and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on specific cognitive skills, metacognitive skills, creativity, and achievement. The programing group scored significantly higher on measures of operational competence, two of three measures of metacognitive skills, and a measure of…

Describes a study conducted at the University of Southern Queensland (Australia) that investigated problem-solving behavior in statistics by documenting differences between successful and unsuccessful students. Two methodological approaches are described: one required students to identify key structural features of common problems, and the second…

Describes an experimental test conducted with high school students to determine the effect of posting explicit goal structures on problem-solving performance in an intelligent tutoring system for calculus. Related rates word problems are discussed, and student performance in terms of speed and accuracy is analyzed. (Contains 29 references.) (LRW)

This article reports data on the retention of problem-solving performance after one month, four months, and six months, in three separate studies conducted in school settings involving a variety of grades and subjects. (Author/LMO)

Discussion of task motivation focuses on study that investigated the choice behavior of college students within a computer problem solving task as they controlled and selected problem difficulty levels which maximized either intrinsic interest or extrinsic reward. Sex differences are examined, and treatment for experimental and control groups is…

This study examined microcomputer use by individual students and groups of two, three, and five seventh- and eighth-grade students to discover any relationship existing between group size and achievement of a correct problem solution, and whether there is a relationship between group size and time to solution. (MBR)

Describes study of high school students that was conducted to determine whether instruction in a second programing language helps produce transfer of problem solving skills. The six dependent variables used in the study are discussed; pretests and posttests are described; and suggestions are made for further research. (36 references) (Author/LRW)

Describes a study that was conducted to determine whether learning to program a computer in Pascal or FORTRAN improved problem-solving skills of college students when compared to a control group and to determine which programing language was more effective in the development of problem-solving abilities. (26 references) (LRW)

The purpose of this research was to design and evaluate a computer based adaptive strategy for teaching mathematics. Results indicated preference for materials with personalized examples for motivation and meaningful learning of problem solving procedures. Practical advantages of the computer-based model for adapting instruction are also…

Potential interactions between four factors of educational interest within small group research were studied: (1) type of problem; (2) group composition; (3) group norm; and (4) group productivity. Reliable interactions were obtained for: (1) sex x group norm; (2) sex x group norm x productivity; and (3) type of problem x productivity. (Author/LMO)

Content of school problems as posed by high school students, quality with which questions were formulated, and the relationship of content and quality to students' intellectual characteristics were investigated. Results reveal problem content most involved affectivity of teachers; problem formulation quality was egocentric; and content and quality…