Why is it important to follow a process when trying to solve problems?

This assignment helps you apply your knowledge from this week’s modules and readings.

Decision making is a systematic process of selecting the best among the different alternatives. Making decisions can be difficult but following a process will provide an individual with confidence, accountability and self-awareness. Being an effective decision maker is key to personal and career success.

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Universal Intellectual Standards

Using the week 2 reading about Universal Standards, answer the questions below.

1. Universal Intellectual Standards guide you through the process of validating information and asking questions to collect accurate data.  List the nine (9) Universal Intellectual Standards.

A. Type answer here

B. Type answer here

C. Type answer here

D. Type answer here

E. Type answer here

F. Type answer here

G. Type answer here

H. Type answer here

I. Type answer here

2. Decide which of the 9 Universal Intellectual Standards you are demonstrating when you ask the following questions.

QUESTIONS STANDARD

Could you give more details? Could you be more specific? Type answer here

How does your answer address the complexities in the question? How are you taking into account the problems in the question? Is that dealing with the most significant factors? Type answer here

Do we need to consider another point of view? Is there another way to look at this question? What would this look like from a conservative standpoint? Type answer here

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The Good Samaritan

Read the short story, The Good Samaritan, and answer the questions below.

3. After Jim (the main character) found the man in the hallway near his apartment, what problem was immediately identified?

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4. If you follow Jim’s actions throughout the night, what did he do to deepen his understanding and gain relevant information about the condition of the stranger?

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5. The morning after the incident, Jim’s alarm wakes him up.

a. What options did Jim consider that morning?

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b. What were the consequences of these options?

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6. A critical thinker scrutinizes the solution and self-corrects. Do you think that Jim’s course of action would have changed because of the new information he learned by opening the man’s bag? Explain.

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7. Pretend that the man did not die but will live once he recovers. Also, pretend that you are Jim. Would you call the police or let the man go home since he already suffered a serious medical condition? Explain.

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8. Why is the title of the story: The Good Samaritan? Explain.

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Problem Solving

9. Select the answer that correctly fills in the blanks to complete the sentence.

When considering how well a particular solution to a problem is working, the critical thinker is someone who is __________ to new ideas and experiences and __________ enough to change or modify new beliefs.

☐ Neutral; insightful

☐ Open; positive

☐ Receptive; flexible

☐ Open; eager

10. In order to effectively solve problems, you must think carefully and systematically to find a solution.

Your book describes a 5-step problem-solving process.  Explain how each step in this process can help a person solve a problem.

STEP IMPORTANCE

1. What is the problem? Type answer here

2. What are the alternatives? Type answer here

3. What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of each alternative? Type answer here

4. What is the solution? Type answer here

5. How well is the solution working? Type answer here

11. Do you view problems as obstacles to success or growth opportunities?  Explain your answer.

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12. After watching the VIDEO “What the Internet is doing to our Brains,”  how would you answer the following questions: Is Google making us stupider? Explain.

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Reflection

Reflect on what you have learned this week to help you respond to the question below. You may choose to respond in writing or by recording a video!

13. Imagine you are working as a Medical Administrative Assistant at a local hospital in your neighborhood. It’s your first day of work at your new job and you are excited to get to work and learn as much as you can. However, shortly after arriving at work, you discover that there has been a miscommunication with HR about your start date. The office was expecting you to start the following day instead. As a result, your login information for the office’s computer system has not been created just yet, and the person responsible for training you is on Paid Time Off (PTO).

Explain how would you expect a manager to use the 5 Step Process introduced during this week in order to resolve this miscommunication problem. Provide specific reasons for each step and answer as detailed as possible.