In the previous lesson the group selected an issue for discussion and narrowed it down to a problem question is How can we combat obesity in young adults from grade K to college. Identify possible solutions to you will be evaluated on consistent participation, on the research you contribute, and on effectively managing this step of the Progressive Problem Solving Method (PPSM). As a reminder, here are the criteria concerning the Problem Analysis step:
- Explores the problem thoroughly, including fact-finding
- Understands the complexities of the problem and the challenges in solving it, including systemic pressures, causes, effects, constraints, and the like
- Synthesizes information effectively through discussion, rather than merely listing facts from research
- Engages in critical thinking
areas for research, which would be applicable for this project as well:
- Root causes
- Scope and severity of the problem
- Additional effects of the issue, both direct and indirect
- Who is most affected
- Other elements of context, including broader systems, communities, or organizations involved
- Constraints and barriers to change
- What solutions have been tried in the past
- Dangers of not acting, or of acting prematurely
4. Solution Criteria and Limitations
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- Drawing upon the problem analysis, the group explicitly identifies a reasonable set of priorities that the eventual solution must meet
- Drawing upon the problem analysis, especially the constraints, the group explicitly identifies and limitations or boundaries that will apply to the eventual solution
5. Solution Options Generation
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- Uses appropriate idea-generation techniques (research, observation, brainstorming, etc.) to identify potential solutions
- Defers judgment (evaluation) of solutions as they are suggested; the conversation at this point involves listing and clarifying solutions, rather than discussing them
6a. Solution Evaluation
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- Uses a consistent method for evaluating benefits and drawbacks of solution options
- Evaluates solution options in light of criteria identified in step 4
- Analyzes options realistically, attending to constraints and limitations
- Engages in critical thinking (avoids groupthink)
6b. Solution Selection
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- Relies on a methodical, side-by-side (“apples-to-apples”) comparison for making selection
- Ensures groupthink has been minimized
- Ensures a consensus has been reached (gradients of agreement or other conversation method)
7. Implementation
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- Develops a plan to manage logistics, costs, personal, materials, etc.
- Assesses effectiveness of rollout process
- Assesses effectiveness of plan once implemented, making any necessary adjustments
You might also identify other avenues for research, and should feel free to pursue them–but investigating this list is a great place to begin the fact finding process.
As in past projects, be sure to rely primarily on a mix of reputable news and editorial sources, government sources, nonprofit organizations, or academic (peer-reviewed) articles. These should provide credible facts, statistics, and expert testimony. You might also identify lay testimony, examples, and the like from more general internet searches–but these should form a much smaller portion of your research efforts.
You may come across solution proposals during your research. While you won’t use them for the group discussion in this lesson, you might want to keep a separate list of sources so you can use them during the Zoom discussion during Lesson 13.
If you have concerns about limited research available for your particular topic, be sure to discuss things with your instructor promptly. They may have ideas for how to search for things, even for new or obscure topics.
Plan for How You’ll Contribute
assemble a summary document to prepare yourself for the discussion.
Finally, plan a few specific things you would like to see discussed by the group. In addition to facts and expert testimony to share (and cite!), be sure to identify specific aspects of the problem that you’d like to hear
When sharing your research, be sure to conversationally cite it; examples include:
- “I read a New York Times article from last year that said…”
- “Yes, that was actually from a study I saw by Dr. Rachel Mahler, in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.”
