• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2006

The previous empirical research suggests that problem finding is more important than problem solving in the creative process. Problem finding is increasingly recognized in theories of creativity. In spite of the importance of problem finding, there is little research to explain problem finding in Korea. This article reviews the research about problem finding and examines the nature of problem finding, the type of problems, the relation of problem finding and problem solving, the relation of problem finding and creativity, and the serendipity. Finally, theoretical and educational implications are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.133-143
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of scientific discussion classes focusing problem finding on the primary school students' scientific creative problem solving ability, science process skills and attitude toward science class. To verify this research problem, the subject of this study was fifth-grade students selected from four classes of M elementary school located in Busan city. For four months, the experimental group of 51 students was taught using the "scientific discussion classes focusing problem finding". The control group also of 53 students was taught in normal classes which used a text-book. All students were given pre and post test to verify the effects of scientific discussion classes focusing problem finding on the primary school students' scientific creative problem solving ability, science process skills and attitude toward science class. The results from this study are as the following. First, the scientific discussion classes focusing problem finding were effective in scientific creative problem solving ability among the primary school students. It is possibly because in the process where one student compare his/her own thoughts with the others' ones and discuss them. Second, the scientific discussion classes focusing problem finding were effective in science process skills among the primary school students. Third, the scientific discussion classes focusing problem finding were effective in attitude toward science class. In conclusion, the scientific discussion classes focusing problem finding had positive effects on improvement of primary school students' scientific creative problem solving ability, science process skills and also could lead to a change in students' cognition about science class to a positive way. Therefore, the scientific discussion class focusing problem finding is hopefully to be provided as an effective instructive strategy of science class in school in the future.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.419-429
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• 2006

This study investigated gender differences in the factors affecting elementary school students' ability to identify scientific problems. Scientific problem finding tasks, involving written instruments including IQ tests, content knowledge, science process skills, divergent thinking skills, intrinsic/extrinsic motivation, personality traits, and home environment were administered to 96 elementary school students(male; 50 & female: 46). The data collected was analyzed by means of a t-test, Pearson's correlation, multiple regression analysis, and canonical correlation analysis. The finding indicated that there were significant gender differences in scientific problem finding performance. Female students were significantly higher in both total score and elaborate score of scientific problem finding than male students. Personality traits and intrinsic motivation positively and extrinsic motivation negatively predicted male students' abilities in scientific problem finding. Science process skills, personality traits and intrinsic motivation positively and extrinsic motivation negatively predicted female students' scientific problem finding and IQ positively predicted female students' elaborate score of scientific problem finding.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.464-472
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyze the science inquiry problem finding ability of gifted elementary students of science and general elementary students. For this purpose, this study analyzed the types of science inquiry problems in an ill-structured problem finding situation. Also, this study has compared science inquiry problem finding abilities of those two groups. From the results of this study, new ways of improving student' science inquiry problem finding ability and selection of gifted students of science were suggested. The results of this study can be summarized as follows. First, most of the inquiry problems generated by the scientifically gifted and the general students in an ill-structured problem situation could be categorized into seven types (measurement, method, cause, possibility, what, comparison, relationship) according to the inquiry objectives, and both group found more problems in scientific context than in everyday context. Regardless of the context of problem, scientifically gifted students found more problems and the type of problems generated by them were more various than those of general students. Second, there were differences in problem finding ability between scientifically gifted and general students. Scientifically gifted students found more problems and the quality of problems were higher than general students.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.624-633
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to compare problem finding ability, creative thinking ability, creative tendency, and science process skill between the scientifically gifted students and the general students. For this study, problem finding ability test, integrating creativity test, and science process skill test were conducted to the elementary gifted students (n=95) in science and the general students (n=149) at the same school district. The results of this study were as follows: The mean scores of problem finding, creative thinking, creative tendency, and science process skill of the gifted students were statistically higher than the general students. The problem finding ability had partially weak correlation with sub-domains of the creative thinking ability, creative tendency, and science process skill. Findings suggest that there are needs of further study about factors affecting problem finding and considering the degree of structure of problem situation.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.865-874
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to explore the process of inquiry problem finding in high school students' small group free-inquiry. For this purpose, 91 second grade high school students took part in small group free-inquiry. We conducted interviews with students (48 students in 15 groups) who were relatively successful in the inquiry performed for one semester (about 4 months). Based on the results of the interviews, we analyzed the characteristics of the inquiry problem finding through the steps and strategies in the inquiry problem finding process. The main results are as follows: First, in the inquiry problem finding process, steps such as selecting keyword, presenting an inconvenience, presenting a question, and finding an inquiry problem were found, and in particular, the process of selecting the keyword that correspond to the subject of inquiry, such as the material and situation of inquiry, is very important step in inquiry problem finding. Second, the strategies that students used in the process of finding inquiry problem included searching information, review of prior research, sharing of knowledge and experience, linking and extension of knowledge and experience, environmental awareness, expert consultation, discussion of suitability, elaboration, etc. Third, finding an inquiry problem was relatively easy in the inquiry for finding out problems (i.e. inconvenience) in everyday life and investigating ways to solve them. Fourth, the review of prior researches through the internet was useful in the process of selecting keyword and elaboration. Fifth, the factors that students consider when selecting one of several candidate inquiry problems are feasibility, real-life applicability, and economic condition. Sixth, the current affairs had a positive impact on the inquiry problem finding. Based on the above results, we discussed some ways to increase students' inquiry problem finding ability.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-52
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine the Structural Equation Model (SEM) of scientific problem finding ability based on science related attitude, motivation and self-regulation learning strategy of the gifted in science. A total of 153 scientifically gifted students were selected from a university-based Sifted education center The instruments used for the study were Test of Science-Related Attitudes, Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), and Science Problem Finding Test. In order to examine Structural Equation Model (SEM) of scientific problem finding ability, we assumed scientific problem finding model related to science inquiry, model I (domain specific), and scientific problem finding model related to creativity, model II (domain general) The results of this research are as follows. First, the correlations between science related attitudes and MSLQ were significant; motivation and self-regulated learning strategy as sub factors were positively correlated to science related attitudes. Only scientific attitude as a sub factor of science related attitudes was significantly correlated to elaboration of creativity category in scientific problem finding ability. In other hand, self-regulated learning strategy was significantly correlated to elaboration, inquiry motivation and inquiry level in scientific problem finding ability. Second, as the results of SEM analysis, we confirmed model I and model II were the best adequate through the indices of best fit (TLI, CFI>.90, RMSEA<.08); scientific problem finding ability was directly influenced motivation and self-regulated learning strategy but science related attitudes indirectly influenced scientific problem finding ability through motivation and self-regulated learning strategy. Based on the results, the implications for science gifted education were discussed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.765-774
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to suggest an instructional direction for improving scientific problem-finding ability. For this purpose, the present study made an in-depth analysis about activity on problem finding tasks of high school students in an ill-structured scientific problem situation. Subjects were divided into two groups (cooperative and individual) and two kinds of problem finding tasks were administered to two groups. Results indicated that a cooperative activity on problem finding happened to a series of steps exploring problem situation, expressing knowledge and experience, discussing provisional problems, creating various problems and selecting the best problem. Besides, a cooperative activity on problem finding depended heavily on prior knowledge and experience, and in the meantime, various scientific concepts turned out to naturally be expressed. As for the problems found out during a cooperative activity, their scores in creativity factors, including the degree of agreement in original problem selection came out to be on the whole, as excellent. In addition, the types of the problems found out in open problem situation showed that they were more various than those found out in closed problem situation. Subjects perceived that activity on problem finding had positive influence on scientific concept and science process skills. Findings of this study have the following educational implications: First, it is needed to prepare for educational environment that enables students to explore various knowledge and information. Second, the offering of various opportunities is needed to enlarge the scope of scientific knowledge and experience. Third, it is needed to prepare for a study atmosphere that lets students express their knowledge and experiences freely.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.109-119
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated how the scientific problem-finding ability of pre-service teachers is improved through open-situation scientific problem-making activity. We organized two experimental groups and a control group by degree of participation. The 1st experimental group is an actively participating class, while the 2nd experimental group is a passively participating class. We developed and applied a worksheet for training in problem-making. The pre-service teachers filled in the worksheet for problem-making once a week for seven weeks, then the lecturer gave feedback for every worksheet. We developed and applied a problem finding test in an open-situation to measure their problem finding ability at pre- and post-training. As a result of the training, problem level and diversity improved for pre-service teachers through continuous problem-making activities and feedback. The 1st experiment group significantly improved on the quality and quantity of problems. Especially in the originality, elaboration, verifiability, and variables' category, the 1st experimental group significantly improved compared to the control group and the 2nd experimental group. On the other hand, the quality and quantity of problems of the 2nd experimental group decreased. These results provide a basis for correlation between training attitude and improvement of problem-finding ability. Based on the result of this study, continuous problem-making training and feedbacks are helpful in improving the problem-finding ability of pre-service teachers.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.171-187
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• 2007

The 166 elementary school students of this study were divided into four groups by gender and degree of structure in problem situations. Written instruments ascertained intelligence, conceptual knowledge, science process skills, divergent thinking, intrinsic/extrinsic motivation, personality traits, and home environment. Results were that male students scored higher on problem finding in the ill-structured than in the moderately structured problem situation. In the ill-structured problem situation, personality traits, conceptual knowledge, and intrinsic motivation contributed to the scores of male students and home environment and conceptual knowledge contributed to the scores of female students. In the moderately structured problem situation, personality traits and intrinsic motivation contributed to the scores of all students, but science process skills contributed to the scores of female students only.