Chan Wai Yu. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-110). / Acknowledgements --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iii / Table of Contents --- p.v / List of Tables --- p.viii / List of Figures --- p.ix / Chapter Chapter I --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1 --- Background to the study --- p.1 / Chapter 2 --- Purpose of the study --- p.3 / Chapter 3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.4 / Chapter 4 --- Significance of the study --- p.5 / Chapter Chapter II --- REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE / Chapter 1 --- Definitions of problem and major approaches in problem- solving research --- p.6 / Chapter 2 --- Information-processing theory of problem solving --- p.8 / Chapter 3 --- Cognitive theories and the acquisition of procedural knowledge in problem solving --- p.11 / Chapter (i) --- Anderson's ACT* theory --- p.12 / Chapter (ii) --- Schneider and Detweler's model --- p.16 / Chapter (iii) --- Research in skill acqusition --- p.23 / Chapter 4 --- Cognitive theories and transfer of problem-solving performance --- p.29 / Chapter (i) --- Transfer and Anderson's ACT* theory --- p.30 / Chapter (ii) --- Other studies and explanation about transfer --- p.32 / Chapter (iii) --- Research in transfer --- p.34 / Chapter 5 --- Research in genetic problem-solving --- p.38 / Chapter 6 --- Brief summary of literature review --- p.40 / Chapter Chapter III --- RESEARCH DESIGN / Chapter 1 --- Definition --- p.42 / Chapter 2 --- Hypotheses --- p.44 / Chapter 3 --- Sampling --- p.44 / Chapter 4 --- Subjects --- p.45 / Chapter 5 --- Materials --- p.45 / Chapter 6 --- Procedure / Chapter (i) --- Pilot studies --- p.47 / Chapter (ii) --- The main study --- p.48 / Chapter 7 --- Data analysis / Chapter (i) --- The practice schedule experiment --- p.55 / Chapter (ii) --- The protocol --- p.57 / Chapter Chapter IV --- ANALYSIS AND RESULT / Chapter 1 --- Statistically analysis of tests scores / Chapter (i) --- Reliability --- p.59 / Chapter (ii) --- Comparison of the problem solving test scores between the two groups --- p.61 / Chapter (iii) --- "Effects of treatment groups, test types and time conditions on the performance" --- p.65 / Chapter 2 --- Analysis of the protocols / Chapter (i) --- Problem-solving procedures --- p.72 / Chapter (ii) --- Problem-solving performance --- p.77 / Chapter 3 --- Discussion --- p.87 / Chapter (i) --- Acquisition --- p.87 / Chapter (ii) --- Retention --- p.89 / Chapter (iii) --- Transfer --- p.90 / Chapter (vi) --- General discussion --- p.93 / Chapter Chapter V --- CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS / Chapter 1 --- Conclusions --- p.95 / Chapter 2 --- Suggestion for further investigations --- p.97 / Bibliography --- p.99 / Appendix A The power law --- p.111 / Appendix B Figure8 --- p.112 / Appendix C Supplimentary note --- p.113 / Appendix D Pretest --- p.114 / Appendix E Practice schedule exercises --- p.115 / Appendix F Posttests --- p.125 / Appendix G Problems in the second protocol interview --- p.133 / Appendix H Transcripts of the protocols --- p.134

M.Ed. (Educational Management) / Significant long term planning and the reaching of goals cannot be reached efficiently if they are constantly hampered by nonproductive problems. Therefore, effective problem solving and effective prevention are of cardinal importance in the multi-type workload of the head of department. The principal is the keyfigure in the school. In this respect, the principal should be supported by a management team, utilizing all facets of management in the school, including problem solving. Problem solving js a comprehensive task and one person alone does not have all the time or skills to run the school single-handedly. The head of department is the senior manager of his department and has a prime resposibility towards the effective functioning of his department. This implies that the head of department not only needs to be an educational leader, but he must also have the necessary managerial skills to be successful. During problem solving a certain thought-pattern of modusoperandi should be acquired. The way a head of department solves problems is an indication of his value as educational leader, and it follows that his skills at problem solving and effective behaviour will determine his success as an educational leader. This study will focus mainly on four basic management tasks: planning, organization, guidance and control.