Instructor-Assigned and Student-Selected Groups: A View from Inside
32 Pages Posted: 30 Jun 2008
Date Written: March 28, 2008
Abstract
This paper addresses an issue that most accounting instructors face when assigning group work: does the method of forming groups affect the group experience and, if so, how? Our study provides a student characterization of group formation effects, by examining student experiences as expressed in their own words in written journals. This view from inside the groups reveals subtle group formation effects not apparent in prior studies, and enriches findings derived from quantitative questionnaire responses. The findings from this study are used to create guidance for researchers, instructors, and students.
Keywords: Qualitative research, group projects, student teams, grounded theory
JEL Classification: M49, A22
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation