process of problem solving

Solving the problems of everyday life is a common practice. Something becomes a problem when we do not have a ready response for it. Actually, we encounter a problem when we have a goal, but the way to reach it is not obvious. Sometimes the path to get the solution is obvious, while sometimes we face a complex pathway that requires further and more profound recognition. In architecture, like other fields of knowledge, the goal of some studies is to find solutions for the real problems of the architectural world. In this paper, we aim to define problem-solving research in architecture, its elements, processes and types. This study is being carried out with the classification strategy to clarify the characteristics of problem-solving research in architecture. For this purpose, we selected 29 PhD dissertations that were defended in the world’s top universities and sought to solve a problem in architecture. In this article, their abstracts were reviewed and analyzed. We show that in the studies where the research process leads to a solution for a real problem in architecture can be classified as problem-solving research. This kind of PhD dissertation uses scientific frameworks developed in other fields of knowledge for solving real-world problems, and therefore, similar to them, deal with two types of issues: well-defined and ill-defined problems. Ill-defined problems in architecture are often interdisciplinary with social sciences. These studies have a mixed-method approach and are in combination with other strategies. Problem-solving research is being conducted to find technical solutions, design and management strategies.