Problem finding

Basadur distinguished problem discovery and problem formulation; then later problem generation and problem conceptualization. Runco and Chand distinguish problem identification and problem definition.^[3]: 205

Scholars distinguish between well-defined and ill-defined problems. Briggs and Reinig defined a well-defined solution in terms of space solution space. Pretz, Naples, and Sternberg defined a well-defined problem as one for which the parts of the solution are closely related or clearly based on the information given. Problem finding applies to ill-defined problems.^[3]: 201

Abdulla-Alabbasi and Cramond reviewing the literature on problem finding conceptualize five processes of decreasing of ill-definedness and distinguish ideative and evaluative processes. The processes are discovery, formulation, construction, identification and definition. Problem discovery is an unconscious process which depends upon knowledge whereby an idea enters one's conscious awareness, problem formulation is the discovery of a goal; problem construction involves modifying a known problem or goal to another one; problem identification represents a problem that exists in reality but needs to be discovered (such as an unknown virus causing illness in patients); problem definition involves modifying a problem but in a mostly evaluative rather than ideative way.^{[3]: 209–211}