Creative Problem-Solving Methods: MCQ Test for Effective Solutions
Questions: 30
Questions
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1. What is the first step in creative problem-solving?
- a) Generating possible solutions
- b) Identifying the problem
- c) Evaluating solutions
- d) Implementing a solution
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2. Which technique is used in creative problem-solving to generate a large number of ideas?
- a) Brainstorming
- b) Decision-making matrix
- c) SWOT analysis
- d) Cost-benefit analysis
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3. What does the "SCAMPER" technique help with?
- a) Budgeting and cost analysis
- b) Analyzing competitors
- c) Planning a project timeline
- d) Stimulating creativity by modifying existing products or ideas
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4. The "Five Whys" technique is primarily used to:
- a) Evaluate potential risks
- b) Generate creative solutions
- c) Identify the root cause of a problem
- d) Set a strategic vision
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5. Which of the following is a key component of lateral thinking?
- a) Thinking outside of conventional patterns
- b) Relying only on logical solutions
- c) Repeating traditional problem-solving methods
- d) Focusing only on known answers
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6. What is the primary purpose of mind mapping in creative problem-solving?
- a) To analyze financial data
- b) To narrow down the number of potential solutions
- c) To organize tasks in a project
- d) To visualize ideas and their relationships in a structured way
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7. What is the key advantage of using the "nominal group technique" (NGT) in problem-solving?
- a) It is focused on individual idea generation only
- b) It relies solely on brainstorming without structure
- c) It encourages participation from all group members in an equal and structured manner
- d) It restricts feedback and ideas
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8. Which of the following is a key principle of design thinking?
- a) Creating solutions solely based on data
- b) Empathy with the user and understanding their needs
- c) Focusing only on technical feasibility
- d) Limiting the scope of ideas to a specific field
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9. What does "critical thinking" in problem-solving primarily involve?
- a) Acting without considering alternatives
- b) Trusting gut feelings and instincts
- c) Relying on a single solution without exploring others
- d) Analyzing and evaluating information logically and systematically
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10. The "Fishbone diagram" (Ishikawa diagram) is used to:
- a) Identify potential causes of a problem
- b) Find the root cause of a problem
- c) Evaluate the potential consequences of a solution
- d) Identify possible stakeholders
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11. Which problem-solving method emphasizes the importance of feedback and iterative development?
- a) Design thinking
- b) Waterfall model
- c) Root cause analysis
- d) SWOT analysis
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12. What does the "Pareto Principle" (80/20 rule) suggest about problem-solving?
- a) Spend 80% of time testing the solution
- b) Prioritize the easiest solutions first
- c) Use 80% of resources for analysis and 20% for solutions
- d) Focus on the 20% of efforts that will yield 80% of the results
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13. What role does creativity play in problem-solving?
- a) It limits the range of possible solutions
- b) It allows for novel and innovative approaches to resolving issues
- c) It leads to inefficient decision-making
- d) It focuses only on traditional approaches
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14. Which of the following is an example of convergent thinking in problem-solving?
- a) Focusing on finding the one best solution from multiple possibilities
- b) Generating as many ideas as possible without immediate evaluation
- c) Looking at a problem from various perspectives
- d) Experimenting with a wide variety of approaches
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15. What is the primary focus of the "TRIZ" method in problem-solving?
- a) Creating a design prototype
- b) Organizing thoughts using mind maps
- c) Identifying and eliminating contradictions in a system
- d) Prioritizing emotional responses in decision-making
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16. What is the role of prototypes in creative problem-solving?
- a) To serve as the final solution without further testing
- b) To test ideas and solutions quickly before full implementation
- c) To analyze the financial cost of a solution
- d) To document theoretical ideas
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17. The "Nominal Group Technique" involves:
- a) A structured way of generating and ranking ideas from all members
- b) Giving one person authority to make decisions
- c) A free-form discussion of ideas without structure
- d) Creating a solution based solely on voting
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18. How does the "Theory of Constraints" contribute to problem-solving?
- a) It focuses on identifying and solving the most limiting factor in a system
- b) It recommends solving problems as they arise without analysis
- c) It emphasizes solving all problems simultaneously
- d) It discourages collaboration in finding solutions
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19. How does "brainwriting" differ from brainstorming?
- a) It avoids using written ideas
- b) It is only focused on verbal ideas shared in a group
- c) Participants write down their ideas before sharing them with the group
- d) It limits group participation
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20. Which of the following is a key benefit of using creative problem-solving methods?
- a) They help in generating innovative and unique solutions to complex problems
- b) They make decision-making faster without analyzing options
- c) They eliminate the need for collaboration in decision-making
- d) They prioritize traditional methods over new approaches
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21. Which method encourages a "what-if" approach to problem-solving?
- a) Regression analysis
- b) Decision tree analysis
- c) Flowcharting
- d) Brainstorming
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22. What does "creativity under constraints" in problem-solving encourage?
- a) It limits the scope of solutions entirely
- b) It avoids any limitations and focuses on free creativity
- c) It focuses on generating innovative solutions within specific limitations or restrictions
- d) It forces individuals to stick to a single solution approach
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23. What does the "Critical Incident Technique" help identify in problem-solving?
- a) Key events or incidents that significantly impact outcomes
- b) The effectiveness of quick decision-making
- c) The emotional response to a situation
- d) The financial costs of decisions
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24. What does the "Appreciative Inquiry" method focus on in problem-solving?
- a) Identifying weaknesses and limitations only
- b) Focusing on the strengths and opportunities rather than problems
- c) Generating ideas based on past failures
- d) Using a top-down approach to find solutions
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25. What does "Systems Thinking" emphasize in creative problem-solving?
- a) Avoiding analysis of any broader impacts
- b) Isolating problems from the broader context
- c) Viewing problems as part of a larger, interconnected system
- d) Focusing only on short-term goals
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26. In creative problem-solving, what is the role of "divergent thinking"?
- a) To generate many possible solutions without immediate evaluation
- b) To focus on finding the one best solution quickly
- c) To narrow down the number of options
- d) To prioritize quick implementation of ideas
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27. What is the benefit of using the "Edison Technique" in problem-solving?
- a) It eliminates the need for critical thinking
- b) It focuses on immediate, correct solutions
- c) It prioritizes the fastest possible decision
- d) It encourages persistence and learning from multiple attempts to solve a problem
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28. What is a key feature of "heuristics" in problem-solving?
- a) Using predefined, complex formulas for solutions
- b) Focusing only on logical analysis without shortcuts
- c) Using mental shortcuts or rules of thumb to make decisions quickly
- d) Generating a large number of ideas without evaluating them
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29. What is the primary goal of creative problem-solving?
- a) To find unique, innovative solutions to problems
- b) To arrive at the quickest solution, regardless of creativity
- c) To follow existing methods without modification
- d) To ensure decisions are made only based on logic
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30. What does "fuzzy logic" in problem-solving refer to?
- a) Ignoring emotion in the decision-making process
- b) Relying on exact, precise answers without flexibility
- c) Focusing only on mathematical formulas for solutions
- d) Allowing for partial truths or imprecise information when making decisions
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