4 Study Skills Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Applying systematic decision-making is a necessary study skill. There are five general steps to this process, as illustrated in Figure 1-2. 1. Define the problem. A clear idea of the problem must be formulated in order to find the best approach. If the problem is too broad, you will not be able to accu- rately address the issue and find a solution. If there is a specific goal in mind, make sure it’s measurable and timely in order to know whether you’ve achieved it at the end of the process. 2. Gather information. Gather information in order to base your decision on data and facts. You need to know what information is relevant to solving the problem at hand. 3. Choose the best alternative. After considering all potential solutions, the one that best fits the situation can be selected. It may be a single alternative or some combination of alternatives. 4. Act on the decision. Once a decision is made, it should be executed. What steps must be done to make this happen? 5. Evaluate the solution or decision. After time has passed, the solution can be ana- lyzed to determine if it was the correct course of action. Applying systematic decision-making is a skill that can help you throughout your life. Learning to apply critical-thinking skills and problem solve can help you in most situations that you will encounter. Pre-Study Tips Before you begin studying, there are several things you can do to prepare your- self to make the most out of your study time. Some general study tips include the following:• • Avoid multitasking when there is something important, such as studying, that needs your immediate and undivided attention. Multitasking can serve a pur- pose in the right situation. It is difficult to pay attention and do your best, how- ever, if you are trying to do two things at once. Decide to focus exclusively on the task at hand. • • Turn off your digital devices when you need to give your full attention to a task. You will hear this advice frequently as you progress through this text. It is aimed to help you avoid distractions in all aspects of your school and personal life. Decision-Making Process 1 Define the problem 2 Gather information 3 Choose the best alternative 4 Act on the decision 5 Evaluate the solution or decision Figure 1-2 Decision-making is the process of solving a problem or situation by choosing a course of action after evaluating the possible solutions. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher