Preference for procedural order in task‐oriented small groups

Abstract

This study sought to refine the concept “work procedures” in small group communication. Two categories with eight corresponding properties were delineated from small group interaction and were incorporated into a Likert‐type scale, the Group Procedural Order Questionnaire (GPOQJ. The scale was designed to assess an individual's preference for procedures in groups. Preference for procedural order in groups was integrated into a cognitive theoretical framework which formed the basis for item selection and validity research on the GPOQ. Seven investigations of validity were conducted on the GPOQ. The results of a cluster method known as elementary linkage analysis and a content analysis of the items by expert judges supported the content validity of the instrument. Correlations between the GPOQ and scores on thirty scales from fourteen non‐projective inventories showed that the instrument correlated positively with theoretically similar concepts and did not corrrelate with theoretically discriminant concepts. A preliminary investigation of criterion‐related validity demonstrated that the scale differentiated between group members nominated by their peers as seeming comfortable with their tightly‐structured procedures or with flexible, free‐wheeling work climates. However, the GPOQ did not discriminate among college seniors with declared majors in accounting, marketing, business administration and theatre. Three validity studies supported the predictive power of the GPOQ in that HPO groups generated more message patterns characterized by summaries, goal‐related statements, procedural clarification, and use of general headings to introduce topic changes, while LPO groups produced more contributions characterized by vacillation between task and socio‐emotional issues, switching topics via a chain‐association pattern, and introducing interruptions and multiple conversations.