What’s Worth Solving? An Expert Study to Identify Problem-Finding Strategies Within a Socio-Scientific Issue

Abstract

A problem becomes an investigation's point, leading to the incremental construction of new knowledge and contributing to a broader problem-solving procedure. Often, it is identified through observation, research through literature, or suggested by a teacher. However, little is known about how problem finding (PF) can be developed as a strategic skill within educational settings. Thus, this article aims to understand the high leverage processes required to do PF. We use socio-scientific issues (SSI) as a meaningful context for its complexity and ethical nature. Thus, a case study involving three STEM domain experts is used to understand the processes required to negotiate a controversial SSI. Findings indicate that strategic use of collaborative argumentation and socio-scientific reasoning competencies can facilitate finding problems worth solving.