{"id":{"repo_id":"mo-state","oai_identifier":"oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2052"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/mo-state/oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2052","repository":{"repo_id":"mo-state","name":"Missouri State University","base_url":"https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/do/oai/"},"display":{"title":"College Small Groups: A Study of an Instructional Tool to Increase Satisfaction and Outcomes","abstract":"This thesis explores functional theory of groups and college small groups. Functional theory states that groups can most effectively solve problems and make decisions following specific task-functions such as identifying the problem, establishing criteria, exploring all solutions, analyzing all possible solutions, and collectively deciding on an answer. Three research questions that focused on training groups in functional theory and the use of a technology-based instructional tool were explored. The focus of the questions were satisfaction, grade outcomes, and perceptions of training. An experimental research design was used to answer the research questions utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods. A key independent variable was the method of instruction. The experimental group was taught about functional theory using a video technology-based instructional tool prior to the group being assigned a semester-long group project. The control group had a traditional instructor introducing the group project without any small group instruction. The study found between the experimental group and the control group there was no significant difference in levels of satisfaction and there was no significant difference found in grade outcomes for two group projects. There was a significant difference found in the team participation part of grade outcomes. The study revealed limitations that included weaknesses in the presentation of the experiment manipulation and training of the experimental group.","abstract_html":"This thesis explores functional theory of groups and college small groups. Functional theory states that groups can most effectively solve problems and make decisions following specific task-functions such as identifying the problem, establishing criteria, exploring all solutions, analyzing all possible solutions, and collectively deciding on an answer. Three research questions that focused on training groups in functional theory and the use of a technology-based instructional tool were explored. The focus of the questions were satisfaction, grade outcomes, and perceptions of training. An experimental research design was used to answer the research questions utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods. A key independent variable was the method of instruction. The experimental group was taught about functional theory using a video technology-based instructional tool prior to the group being assigned a semester-long group project. The control group had a traditional instructor introducing the group project without any small group instruction. The study found between the experimental group and the control group there was no significant difference in levels of satisfaction and there was no significant difference found in grade outcomes for two group projects. There was a significant difference found in the team participation part of grade outcomes. The study revealed limitations that included weaknesses in the presentation of the experiment manipulation and training of the experimental group.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Iman, Gary Lee"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Arts in Communication","degree_level":"Masters","degree_discipline":"Communication","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Gloria Galanes"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2012,"date_issued":"2012-05-01T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2012-05-01T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:16:06Z","subjects":["functional theory","small groups","technology pedagogy","task-functions","training","Communication"],"languages":[],"rights":["© Gary Lee Iman"],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1051","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Gloria Galanes"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Iman, Gary Lee"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Communication"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Arts in Communication"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["functional theory","small groups","technology pedagogy","task-functions","training","Communication"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["© Gary Lee Iman"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1051"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This thesis explores functional theory of groups and college small groups. Functional theory states that groups can most effectively solve problems and make decisions following specific task-functions such as identifying the problem, establishing criteria, exploring all solutions, analyzing all possible solutions, and collectively deciding on an answer. Three research questions that focused on training groups in functional theory and the use of a technology-based instructional tool were explored. The focus of the questions were satisfaction, grade outcomes, and perceptions of training. An experimental research design was used to answer the research questions utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods. A key independent variable was the method of instruction. The experimental group was taught about functional theory using a video technology-based instructional tool prior to the group being assigned a semester-long group project. The control group had a traditional instructor introducing the group project without any small group instruction. The study found between the experimental group and the control group there was no significant difference in levels of satisfaction and there was no significant difference found in grade outcomes for two group projects. There was a significant difference found in the team participation part of grade outcomes. The study revealed limitations that included weaknesses in the presentation of the experiment manipulation and training of the experimental group."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["College Small Groups: A Study of an Instructional Tool to Increase Satisfaction and Outcomes"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Gloria Galanes"],"dc:creator":["Iman, Gary Lee"],"dc:description.abstract":["This thesis explores functional theory of groups and college small groups. Functional theory states that groups can most effectively solve problems and make decisions following specific task-functions such as identifying the problem, establishing criteria, exploring all solutions, analyzing all possible solutions, and collectively deciding on an answer. Three research questions that focused on training groups in functional theory and the use of a technology-based instructional tool were explored. The focus of the questions were satisfaction, grade outcomes, and perceptions of training. An experimental research design was used to answer the research questions utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods. A key independent variable was the method of instruction. The experimental group was taught about functional theory using a video technology-based instructional tool prior to the group being assigned a semester-long group project. The control group had a traditional instructor introducing the group project without any small group instruction. The study found between the experimental group and the control group there was no significant difference in levels of satisfaction and there was no significant difference found in grade outcomes for two group projects. There was a significant difference found in the team participation part of grade outcomes. The study revealed limitations that included weaknesses in the presentation of the experiment manipulation and training of the experimental group."],"dc:identifier":["https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1051"],"dc:rights":["© Gary Lee Iman"],"dc:subject":["functional theory","small groups","technology pedagogy","task-functions","training","Communication"],"dc:title":["College Small Groups: A Study of an Instructional Tool to Increase Satisfaction and Outcomes"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Communication"],"thesis:degree_level":["Masters"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Arts in Communication"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:16:06Z"}