A qualitative study documented the use of reflection-in-action by adult educators in problematic situations. Its focus was to investigate the mental processes involved in problem solving. Since individuals engage problem situations from a personal conceptualization that is unobservable, qualitative interviewing was used to provide respondents with…

An administrator's daily life is full of decisions that often involve an "on the spot" solution. This paper discusses some of the principles involved in drawing inferences in research and decision making, and describes how a knowledge of decision-making errors can help administrators. The paper also describes a case study that…

This paper is a review of the research literature related to theories of reasoning and teacher thinking. Judgment theory, decision theory, and problem-solving theory are discussed. Reviews are provided for studies from three major research projects on teacher thinking: The Institute for Research on Teaching, Special Study C of the Beginning…

Asserts that a goal of social studies instruction is to help students make decisions about complicated social issues and that this goal is best accomplished through development of postformal cognitive processes. Defines postformal thought and examines two types: relativistic and dialectical. Shows how postformal thought can be promoted through two…

Qualitative evaluation can be used to facilitate change in the immediate higher education professional environment. This evaluation method enriches the collection and interpretation of data by involving all groups and persons who have a share in the problem. In contrast to qualitative research, qualitative evaluation assists in situation-specific…

This paper addresses the concept of critical thinking and its utility in education and training. It is divided into three segments. First, the paper defines critical thinking by establishing what critical thinking is and is not. Second, the relationship between critical thinking and education is explored. The goal of education is reviewed, and…

While researchers can describe how some effective principals perform in some situations, little is known about what shapes their practice and what meaning they find in such practice. This report is part of a larger series exploring principals' problem-solving strategies and thought processes. This paper examines one problem-solving dimension…

The approach to problem solving which is presented has two components--closeness and reformulation. The closeness measure is a cognitively-based heuristic function. It incorporates the notion of what cognition notices as the structural difference between two situations. The problem-solver attempts to close the structural gap, and once this is done…

A discussion of traditional approaches to design forms the basis for the presentation of a methodology for architectural design. In particular, the sequence of analysis-synthesis-evaluation is given as being indicative of most design approaches. Variations of this sequence are examined and the importance of correctly ordering parts of any…

The training program for which these materials have been developed is divided into two parts: the first is general, theoretical, and cognitive; the second is specific, practical, and applied to actual situations. The first part provides a highly structured, non-threatening learning situation, and makes extensive use of set exercises; the second…

This document, one of several prepared by the University Urban Interface Program at the University of Pittsburgh, deals with the nature and solution of conflict within the environment. Many professionally trained managers are ill-prepared to deal with conflict in their environment. They often do not see it as a part of their managerial function.…

Attempts to develop an appreciation of the first-line supervisor's job and his responsibilities to management, to his worker-subordinates, to his peers, and to himself are presented. In particular this document studies the making of decisions, and discusses do's and dont's of face-to-face problem-solving with a subordinate. A movie film brings out…