Function-Follows-Form Transformation in Scientific Problem Solving

Abstract

This paper presents a pattern of reasoning called "functionfollows-form" (FFF) uncovered through a study of scientific problem solving.In the study we modeled eleven "think-out-loud" problem-solving protocols taken by John Clement (1989).Our work involved computationally modeling the reasoning processes of eleven scientists each attempting to solve the same problem about springs.We describe experiments with two computational systems, ToRQUE and ToRQUE2, which were used to model salient reasoning found in the protocols, and we show how the use of function-follows-form reasoning patterns enables exploration and conceptual change.