The Mincer Metaphor for Problem-Solving Methods: Making Assumptions for Reasons of Efficiency
D.A. Fensel, Remco Straatman, Frank van Harmelen, C. Pierret-Golbreich · 1996
In this paper we present the following view on problem-solving methods: Problemsolving methods describe an efficient reasoning strategy to achieve a goal by introducing assumptions about the available domain knowledge and the functionality of the task. These assumptions characterize a problem-solving method. 1 Introduction The concept of a problem-solving method (PPM) is present in a large part of current knowledgeengineering frameworks (e.g. generic tasks [Chandrasekaran, 1986], Role-limiting Methods [Marcus, 1988, Puppe, 1993], kads [Schreiber et al., 1993], method-to-task approach [Musen, 1992], Components of expertise [Steels, 1990], gdm [Terpstra et al., 1993]). The actual form of problem-solving methods differs between frameworks, but in general a PSM describes which reasoning-steps have to be performed, and which type of domain-knowledge is needed to perform a task. Still, a problem-solving method abstracts from implementation details and from a specific domain. A diagnostic m...