Login

Publications  •  Project Statistics

Glossary  •  Schools  •  Disciplines
People Search: 
   
Title/Abstract Search: 

Dissertation Information for Kathleen R. Tower

NAME:
- Kathleen R. Tower

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- Texas Woman's University (USA) (1995)

ADVISORS:
- Adeline Wood Wilkes

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Keith Swigger
- Adelaide Griffin

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: A study of small group interaction patterns and functions of communication within effective and ineffective decision making groups made up of professional librarians

Abstract: Small group scholars argue that group processes and interactions play an important role and greatly influence effective decision-making and problem-solving. Randy Hirokawa has conducted a number of studies in small group communication concerned with group decision-making effectiveness to identify the factors that influence effective group performance and has developed a theory called Vigilant Interaction Theory. The theory argues that the manner in which group members establish operating procedures, analyze the problem, establish criteria for evaluating alternative solutions, generate alternative solutions to solving the problem, and evaluate suggested alternatives affects the quality of the solution presented by the group.

The purpose of this study was to test Hirokawa's theory using groups consisting of professional librarians. The discussions of ten groups were videotaped and tape recorded. Three expert judges scored the decisions of each of the ten groups, and these scores were used to determine which groups were effective or ineffective. Content of the ten discussions was coded and statistically analyzed using several statistical models.

The results of this study provide support that group decision performance of groups consisting of professional librarians is directly related to a group's efforts to perform critical vigilant decision-making functions. It was found that once a group had discussed and decided upon an appropriate way to approach a task, additional procedural comments may be counterproductive to effective group decision-making. The study found no consistent relationship between the frequency of communicative behavior that functions to analyze the problem and group decision-making effectiveness. The study found that group decision-making effectiveness was unrelated to the attempts of group members to establish criteria for evaluating the alternative solutions. The study did find that groups that generate many alternative solutions are more likely to select the best alternative and thus make a more effective group decision. There was a negative relationship, though not statistically significant, between group decision-making effectiveness and communicative behaviors that function to evaluate alternative solutions.

The findings of this study support Hirokawa's Vigilant Interaction Theory and provide a complement to the historical data provided by Hirokawa's earlier research.

MPACT Scores for Kathleen R. Tower

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:12:43

Advisors and Advisees Graph