| Strategic knowledge defines approaches and methods used for problem solving. This research has as its objective the development of mechanisms for the maintenance of a model of strategic reasoning. To achieve that, adequate representation, acquisition, communication and modification frameworks have been developed. Strategies identifying the problem solving behavior, defining the problem solving process are maintained in a strategy knowledge base.; Actions performed by an expert in a problem solving session define a path that is an instantiation of a more general definition of the problem solving behavior defined in the space of possible actions, through a strategy hierarchy. The methodology for maintaining and restructuring the strategy hierarchy is outlined in this thesis.; An interactive knowledge based system that is expected to reflect expert-like behavior should be directed and proactive, and should not exhibit unreasonable signs of discursive or irrational problem solving. In other than the simplest of domains and problem solving tasks, there will always be different methods of problem solving. Problem solving tasks are dynamic, and should not be characterized by static problem solving definitions. This warrants the utilization of a tool that continuously observes expert problem solving behavior in an attempt to extract new methods of problem solving that are formulated by the expert as he or she develops new problem solving techniques. This research contributes to the problem of identifying patterns of problem solving by observing patterns and sequences of actions.; This thesis introduces a knowledge based strategy modeling paradigm that is based on an environment that outlines the communication between the system and the human user, and facilitates the knowledge acquisition process. The paradigm advocates the utilization of strategic knowledge as a partial mechanism for modeling expert problem solving behavior.; The representation method, strategy schemata, possesses features that are similar to several other representation methodologies. It captures inter-strategy knowledge, such as structural and inheritance relationships that are useful in the acquisition and refinement processes outlined by the paradigm. The nature of these schemata coupled with the reasoning methods explicitly associated with them, differentiate them from other representation and associated reasoning methodologies. |
