Information, Education and communication: Group Discussion


Group Discussion:

It is a very old method and was prevalent in all societies. This technique may be defined as ,face-to-face mutual interchange of ideas and opinions between members of a relatively small group (usually five to twenty). It is more than the random, unstructured conversation which occurs whenever small groups congregate; it has method and structure, but it can still be informal and democratic in every sense. The occurrence of a small group discussion implies a common concern regarding a desire for information, a problem to be solved, or a decision to be made.

Characteristics:

  1. It permits maximum interaction and interstimulation between members.
  2. Every participant-shares the pride of having helped solve the problem.
  3. It can place responsibility on all members to participate and be prepared with facts and ideas.
  4. It can teach members to think as a group and develop a sense of equality.
  5. It sets up situations from which leadership may emerge.
  6. By it all members may broaden their viewpoints, gain understanding, and crystallize their thinking.
  7. By it members are encouraged to listen carefully, to reason, to reflect, to participate and to contribute.
  8. It permits leadership responsibility to be shared by all who contribute.
Advantages:
  1. To identify and/or explore mutual concerns, issues, or problems. Self needs come out.
  2. To increase awareness, appreciation, and understanding of mutual concerns, issues, or problems.
  3. To generate interest in ideas, issues, and problems.
  4. to supply and diffuse information and knowledge.
  5. To motivate a group to action.
  6. To involve members in the problem-solving process. People themselves are party.
  7. To get members to crystallize their own thinking.
  8. To form group opinion or consensus. The decisions in the group are effective.
  9. To assist members to express their ideas in a group.
  10. To create awareness of issues and problems.
  11. To encourage and stimulate members to learn more about problems and ideas.
  12. To develop a core group of people for leadership purposes.
  13. To develop an informal and permissive and cooperation.
  14. To provide an opportunity for them to plan programs of action.
Limitations:
  1. Takes more times.
  2. The main objective may be relegated to the background.
  3. Factions in the village might hinder the effective working of the method.
  4. Traditional leaders who are not functional come in the way of group activities.
  5. Possibility of creating rivalries.
  6. Attendance of persons not directly connected can not be avoided easily.
How to conduct Group Discussions:

  1. Selection of problem or Issue:
    1. problem or question that meets the following standards will usually prove to be a good one:
    2. All members of the group are deeply interested in the problem or issue.
    3. The problem or issue is common to all members of the group.
    4. The issue or problem is clear, definite and understood by all members of the group.
    5. The problem or issue is of such scope of difficulty to arouse sustained discussion.
    6. sufficient information is available for the members of the group to come to a satisfactory conclusion.
    7. The issue or problem can be divided into logical divisions.
    8. The issue or problem calls for thinking of superior quality.


  2. Planning for group Discussions:

    Consider:
    1. The ability of the leader to assume his responsibility:
    2. The extent that desirable physical arrangements and provided; and
    3. The extent and type of participation of the members in the discussion.


  3. After locating several individuals interested in a particular problem through individual contacts, examine whether any one of the members of the group is capable of leading the discussions and entrust him with that responsibility. Other-wise, lead the discussions yourself.

    The discussion leaders responsibility � It is the responsibility of the discussion leader to:
    1. encourage the expression of ideas by members of the group;
    2. to see that facts are available as needed:
    3. to ask questions from time to time to give direction to the discussion;
    4. to make occasional summaries without injecting personal ideas; and
    5. to serve as an efficiency expert to smooth out the rough spots without using autocratic tactics.


  4. Choose a comfortable place for the meeting. Circular seating arrangement should be made, if possible. People feel more friendly toward each other and informal as a group if they sit facing each other as they do in a home.

  5. Leading Group Discussions:
    1. Secure interest and introduce the problem or issues:
    2. Introduce the problem or issue using a carefully prepared interest approach.
    3. Take up the problems or issues growing out of the main topic in the most effective order.
    4. State the first problem or issue clearly and see that the conditions which will have a bearing upon the solution are clearly understood. It may be desirable to write the problem or issue on the chalk board.
    5. Present all the available information about the problem before the group, preferably with suitable illustrative material.
    6. Call on several members or the group for the answer or conclusions reached without taking time for reasons to be given at this stage of the discussions. These answers serve as the tentative conclusions mentioned on the section on steps in problem solving.
    7. Make certain that the answers are clearly understood by members of the group. Summarize the answers on the chalk board when available;
    8. Do not give the impression that your solution is the best and do not condemn the existing and suggested practices.
    9. Do not have preconceived ideas for acceptance.
    10. Give due credit to the group.
    11. Test the suggested solutions to the problem or issue:
    12. Encourage all members to participate.
    13. Summarize occasionally.
    14. Keep interest high. See that the atmosphere of the meeting is friendly and informal.


  6. At the end of the discussions, groups should arrive at the steps for taking action, i.e. what is to be done, how it is to be done, who is to do want , and when it is to be done. Make available technical advice and alternate solutions to the group, if necessary.

  7. Arrange for an effective follow-up of the group discussion.