Observational Research in Face-to-Face Small Groupwork: Capturing Affect as Socio-Dynamic Interpersonal Phenomena

Abstract

Interpersonal affect in face-to-face small groupwork, though pervasive in university and work environments, is rarely examined as the fine-grained sequential interactions in which it manifests. This review synthesized 21 recent studies in tertiary collaborative learning and organizational research that have used observation methods to investigate affect in face-to-face small groupwork. The analysis focused on examining the extent to which observational studies captured affect as social (interactive) and dynamic (temporally unfolding). Findings showed that observational methods elicit information about affect dynamics in groupwork that is unique and complementary to other methods. Key affect constructs, behavioral operationalizations, and analytical tools used to capture affect are discussed.