Resolving

Web-Based Tutorial

Introduction Identifying Framing Resolving

Re-Addressing Exercises Evaluation Form

Tutorial for Optimizing and Documenting Open-Ended Problem Solving Skills

Ó November 1999, Cindy Lynch, Susan Wolcott, and Greg Huber

Permission is granted to reproduce this information for noncommercial purposes. Please cite this source: Lynch, C. L., Wolcott, S. K., & Huber, G. E. (1999, November). Tutorial for optimizing and documenting open-ended problem solving skills [On-line]. Available: http://home.apex.net/~leehaven

Resolving an Open-Ended Problem

Parts of this "Resolving" section of the tutorial

Resolving Exercises

Definition

Adequately resolving an open-ended problem is more that simply choosing among the available solution options and stacking up evidence to support your conclusion. The most viable resolutions are built on strong performance in the identifying and framing phases of the problem solving process and include these aspects:

Following adequate framing, establish relevant guidelines or principles for making sound judgments across solution options or perspectives
Using those guidelines or principles in an objective manner, judge among viable options or perspectives to reach a well-founded conclusion; endorse a solution as most viable
Provide and effectively communicate a well-founded justification in light of other options

Factors to Consider

When we persistently engage in efforts to frame an open-ended problem, we become much more aware of relevant information and of the complexities embedded in a problem. In general, it is much more difficult to reach a well-founded conclusion than it is to "jump to a conclusion" based on initial impressions. This difficulty is a natural part of deeper awareness and more careful thinking about the problem.

In making a decision, we have many options about which factors to consider and how to weight those factors. Sometimes people are very aware of the basis for their judgments, but sometimes we are more likely to report, if asked, "It just makes sense," or "It feels like the right thing to do." Both the number of factors and the types of factors considered are likely to impact the quality of decisions. Being more aware and deliberate about our choices increases the probability that we will make appropriate decisions.

To help us judge carefully across our options, we need to think about the range of factors that should be considered. At this stage, the factors must be factors that apply across solution options, factors that are not necessarily situation-specific. Then we must decide how to weight those factors in coming to a conclusion about the problem at hand. How can we best evaluate the relative strength of the arguments for each view or solution option? These are very cognitively complex ideas that move through and beyond direct consideration of concrete evidence to evaluating coherent, competing interpretations of evidence.

Exercise 9--Factors to Consider gives you an opportunity to think more carefully about the problem that is your focus in this tutorial.

Choosing Among Viable Options

The list of solution options for a particular open-ended problem often changes as we engage in the problem solving process. Sometimes options become obsolete because the situation changes, because certain resources become unavailable, or because we realize that resources are insufficient. Sometimes new options become apparent due to new ideas or resources (for example, technological advances). New options also might become apparent if we combine previously identified options in new ways (synthesis).

Mentally coordinating your weighted factors that apply across options (Exercise 9) and your viable solution options is the best way to come to a well-founded conclusion. Exercise 10--Choosing Among Viable Options guides you through this process.

Communicating Your Conclusions

In most cases, effective communication is an essential part of open-ended problem solving. We must communicate effectively to gather information, to learn more about other perspectives in the framing phase, and to share our conclusions with others. Often, once we reach a conclusion, we must explain to others why we made our choice in light of other options.

Your well-founded explanation must go beyond stacking up evidence; it must attend to the concerns of your audience. If you have developed adequate framing and judgment skills, you have evaluated different ways of interpreting the evidence as objectively as possible, making value judgments that might be in conflict with the value judgments of others. Your awareness of this enhances your ability to make your case effectively to other reasonable persons.

Exercise 11--Communicating Your Conclusions gives you an opportunity to practice your communication skills.

Ó November 1999, Cindy Lynch, Susan Wolcott, and Greg Huber