Group Discussion

Group Discussion

Let us first define the word group and discussion. According to Merriam Webster dictionary, group is defined as a number of people or things that are together or in a same place, or a number of people who are connected by some shared activity, interest, or quality. While discussion means the act of talking about something about something with another person or a group of people: a conversation about something. Summing up the meaning of two words, group discussion means the exchange of ideas or opinion between a group of people.

Now, group discussion can be classified in to two:

1.) Topic based

            a. Factual

            b. Abstract

            c. Controversial

2.) Case study based

TOPIC BASED

In topic based, the group is given a topic to be further discussed. Perhaps a grouping in the classroom is facilitated by a professor and was given a topic which is about Greek mythology, the group then, is to have a research about the given topic that is to be presented in front of a class.

a.      Factual topics are about practical things, which an ordinary person is aware of in his day-to-day life. Typically these are about socio-economic topics. These can be current, i.e. they may have been in the news lately, or could be unbound by time. A factual topic for discussion gives a candidate a chance to prove that he is aware of and sensitive to his environment

b.      Abstract topics are about intangible things. These topics are not given often for discussion, but their possibility cannot be ruled out. These topics test your lateral thinking and creativity.

c. Controversial topics can lead to an argument, they’re argumentative in nature. They are meant to generate controversy and at the same time, judge the analytical skills of the participant to see if he/ she can think rationally, without any bias and arrive at a harmonious conclusion.

CASED BASED STUDY

In the topic based study, the class was given a topic to be discussed but in the case based study, the group was given a scenario for the discussion. All the information needed regarding the situation is given and the group are asked for the possible solutions.

The case based study simulates a real-life situation this tests the decision making of a person on how he/she will respond on the situation. The objective in the case study is to get you to think about the situation from various angles.

Grace Ann Nagal

Kenneth Mamauag