Group Projects in Higher Education: How Demographic Factors Affect Student Perceptions of Grading, Leadership Roles, Assessment, and Applicability

Abstract

This Article reports the findings of a 2020 multi-campus study on students’ attitudes regarding group work assignments. Group work topics evaluated include assessment, formation, frequency, size, real-world applicability, efficiency, and learning outcomes. While student perceptions are generally negative toward group work, they also recognize the importance of the practice. When the data is analyzed based on demographic factors such as gender, religion, and academic major, interesting differences are discovered that illuminate potential causes for different views on group work. The Article concludes with implications for further research in this area.