A COMPETENCE THEORY APPROACH TO PROBLEM-SOLVING METHOD CONSTRUCTION

This paper presents a theory of the construction process of problem-so lving methods (PSMs) on the basis of the competence theory approach. T his approach describes the refinement process of an initial, abstract formalization of the required competence of a PSM, towards an operatio nal version of the PSM. Three major steps in this process are identifi ed: specification of the required competence theory, refinement of the theory into a form that fits a PSM paradigm and the operationalizatio n of the theory into a form that is close to an executable specificati on. As an example, the ontological commitments and assumptions underly ing some problem-solving methods for classification problems are inves tigated and their operational forms are presented. (C) 1998 Academic P ress.