GROUP DISCUSSION TYPES

TYPES OF GROUP DISCUSSION

Broadly, group discussions may be categorized into two categories: topic-based group discussion and case based group discussion. Topic-based group discussion may be of two types: single topic based group discussion and multiple topic based group discussion. Further, based on the nature of topics used, group discussion may be either factual topic-based, controversial topic-based, or abstract topic-based. A brief discussion of different types of group discussion is presented below.

1. Factual Topics. Factual topics are those which contain facts of certain phenomena, for example, education status in India, public sector in India, and so on. Topics may relate to those phenomena which might be in news recently or these may be uinbound by time. A factual topic for group discussion provides an opportunity to the candidates to prove that they are sensitive to their environment and are aware about what is happening in the environment.

2. Controversial topics. Controversial topics are those which are argumentative as opinions of group members may differ considerably. Such topics may be in the form of questions, for example, should reservation of any type be removed? Or does liberalization of economy lack human face? These topics may be in the form of statements, for example, the topics mentioned above may be in the form of reservation of any type should be abolished or liberalization of Indian economy lacks human face. The idea behind giving such a topic is to evaluate how much maturity the candidates show in discussing the topic, how they react if their argument has counter-arguments, and what type of rational and non-emotional stand they take. Such topics are more common in group discussion.

3. Abstract Topics. Abstract topics relate to intangible things. On the surface level, such topics do not make much sense, for example, z is the last alphabet of English language, we get what we give, etc. Generally, such topics are not very common in group discussions.

Case-based Group Discussion. Instead of giving a topic, a small case with leading questions at the end is given to the candidates. Discussion of various questions is based on the facts presented in the case. A case is a written description of a situation or event containing information about its numerous facets; its history, type of problem, factors causing the problem, etc. Case-based group discussion tries to evaluate problem-solving approach that is defining problem correctly, generating various alternatives to solve the problem, evaluating the worth of each alternative, suggesting the best available alternative through which the problem can be solved.

Since a problem can be solved by more than one way, there may be divergence of solutions presented by different candidates. Evaluators do not evaluate whether a candidate has suggested correct or incorrect solutions as there is nothing like incorrect or perfect solutions of a problem but they evaluate him on the basis of how he has approachedto the problem and its solution. Case-based group discussions are very common in selecting candidates for jobs. Few educational institutions also prefer case-based group discussions for selecting candidates for admission to professional courses like MBA. In the case of other educational institutions, case-based group discussions are not very common.

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