Interpersonal Quality Considerations In The Formation Of Study Groups Among Students

Abstract

The educational environment is one in which students from different kinds of backgrounds converge and interact for the major purpose of acquiring and sharing knowledge. In the course of their studies, students-mostly those reading the same programmes-form study groups that facilitate effective learning experience. With the idea that people from the same background or orientation join the same association or groups, this paper investigated whether this assertion still holds sway in the formation of study groups. It also focused on the factors that students consider when forming study groups at the masters level. Data was gathered from a focus group discussion with masters’ students of Communication Studies at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana.  Using the content analysis technique to analyse the data, it was realized that other factors other than the obvious culture, religion, race and social and economic status of students influence the formation and membership of a study group. Master students rather focus on factors of other group members that can contribute to their educational advancement. Maintaining study groups and encouraging every student to form or join study groups are some of the recommendations given to maximise the benefits of forming and joining effective study groups.