Addressing issues in group work in the classroom

Abstract

For group projects to be pedagogically successful, instructors must understand how students view group work, factors that influence students’ perceptions about group work, and students’ views about the importance of group work. Understanding these factors will provide instructors with guidance in effectively using group projects in their courses. This study examines how students perceive group work after completing a semester-long group project. Our sample consists of 145 students taking an upper division research methods class in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at a large regional university. Our data support the idea that small groups may work more effectively together than larger ones, that high grade point average students have more concerns than others about group work and that those with more time demands are less positive than others about group work. The authors suggest strategies for successful group work in classes.