Date of Award
12-2012
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Legacy Department
Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
Committee Chair/Advisor
Schmalz, Dorothy L
Committee Member
McGuire , Francis A
Committee Member
Taniguchi , Stacy T
Committee Member
Cook , Michelle P
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to gain understanding into the experience of group cohesion for university students participating in an academic field experience. A mixed methods approach was used following a two-phase, sequential research design to help provide a more complete explanation of how group cohesion was impacted by the field experience. The sample consisted of 112 undergraduate students involved in a 3-day academic field experience. The initial quantitative phase gathered pre- and post-test data on group cohesion using the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) modified for an academic context. Findings demonstrated significant positive change in the domain of social cohesion. The follow-up qualitative phase used dyadic interviews to explore participants' experiences with social cohesion and to identify attributes of the field experience contributing to the development of social cohesion.
Recommended Citation
Malcarne, Brian, "Exploring Group Cohesion in a Higher Education Field Experience" (2012). All Dissertations. 1057.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/1057