研究方法讲座Research-Method-1(Research Methods For Beginning Graduate Students in Engineering).ppt

Adams Heuristic for Problem Solving Goal: Use a systematic approach to efficiently and creatively solve problems ? Steps: 1. Clearly define/understand the problem. 2. Devise a plan to generate solution(s). 3. Carry out the plan. 4. Evaluate the solution(s). Cleary Define/Understand the Problem ? Flowsheet or sketch may help ? Relevant questions - What is the unknown(s)? - What are the data? - What conditions need to be satisfied? - Is it possible to satisfy the condition(s)? How would we recognize a solution? Can the problem be divided into smaller problems? Devise a Plan to Generate Solution(s) ? Questions - Is the problem similar to another problem that has been solved or could be solved? - Can the problem be restated in a different way that might give new insights? - What assumptions, implicit or explicit, have been made? - Are all of the assumptions valid and necessary? - Can parts of the problem be solved individually? - Can available data provide additional insight? - Could other useful information be obtained? Carry out the Plan ? Apply the plan to develop solution(s) ? Check every step to avoid errors ? Be alert to new insights that may arise Evaluate the Solution(s) Check solution(s) against problem definition ? Compare alternative solutions to determine which is optimal ? Consider other problems for the solution(s) Example: Starch-Based Foam ? Originally developed to compete with Styrofoam packing peanuts Price: $1.4/lb ? Sold as non-toxic building materials for kids (Magic Nuudles) Price: $38/lb Conceptual Blocks that Stifle Creativity Perceptual blocks: not clearly perceiving the core problem or the info needed to solve it. Stereotyping: imposing artificial limits Example: 50 uses for room full of chairs—not all involve sitting! Example: Drawing straight lines though 9 dots Draw Minimum # of Lines Through 9 Dots Rules Lines must cross through all dots Lines must be straight Can’t lift pencil off paper Example Solutions Four lines Three li