Group Observation Paper

Group
Observation Paper

Option 1: Group Observation Paper

You write this paper by yourself.

You will provide a short analysis of the interaction
of group members that you observe in action. For example, you could attend a
Killeen City Council Meeting, or tune to local channel ten in the Killeen area
to view the meeting there. You could go to a county courthouse to watch a
celebrity’s trial, or you could watch Court TV and follow the proceedings
there. Then write a short critique of what you have observed.

1. Briefly
describe what group meeting you observed as well as where and when the meeting
took place. [For example, “I observed the Killeen City Council meeting on
March 1, 2005 at Killeen City Hall.]

2. What
organizational plan was employed? [For example, Parliamentary Procedure was
employed with the reading of the minutes, old business, new business, etc.]

3. How
were the decisions made? [For example, majority rule, consensus,
leader-dictated, etc.]

4. How
was information about topics gathered? [For example, research was provided by
group members, research was provided by staff or outsiders, or testimony was
provided, etc]

5. Was
there a formal designated leader? Did certain members seem to play particular
roles and assume specific responsibilities? [For example, the Mayor was the
leader of the City Council.]

6. Were
there conflicts or disagreements between group members and/or outsider sand how
were they resolved? [For example, some council members wanted to annex property
into the city limits, while some other council members as well as the citizens
testifying, were opposed. The council decided to discuss the issue in executive
session.]

7. Did
the group tend to digress (get off the topic)? Did someone get them back to the
subject, and if so, who did so?

8. Did
the group seem thorough and complete in its treatment of the subjects that it
addressed?

9. Were
the groups members clear in expressing themselves by phrasing their ideas
carefully and by presenting their ideas in a vivid manner?

10. Would
you personally feel comfortable addressing this group? Why or why not? Explain.