Dhiren Dukhu is a Senior Sub Editor at Financial Chronicle. He has contributed twice to this blog, and we thank him for his help. You can read his previous article in English Journalism sengment. What is a Group Discussion? Where is it used?
A GD (Group Discussion) is a forum where people sit together, discuss a topic for a certain amount of time with the common objective of finding a solution for a problem or discussing an issue that is given to them.
Why are Group Discussions used as a part of the selection process? How are they useful?
Group Discussions measure certain attributes of the candidates that are otherwise difficult to identify and time consuming to assess. A number of people who can communicate their ideas well and discuss effectively with others in a one-to-one situation become tongue-tied in a group situation.
A GD (Group Discussion) is a forum where people sit together, discuss a topic for a certain amount of time with the common objective of finding a solution for a problem or discussing an issue that is given to them.
Why are Group Discussions used as a part of the selection process? How are they useful?
Group Discussions measure certain attributes of the candidates that are otherwise difficult to identify and time consuming to assess. A number of people who can communicate their ideas well and discuss effectively with others in a one-to-one situation become tongue-tied in a group situation.
They will just not be able to present their ideas or discuss their ideas with the other members of the group. A Group Discussion will identify people who have such group communication skills and people who do not possess such group communication skills.
What are the similarities / differences between Group Discussions and Public Speaking / Debating?
Debating and Public Speaking are one-to-many communication situations whereas a Group Discussion is a many-to-many situation. A debate, an elocution or a public speaking contest are solo performances whereas a Group Discussion is NOT. In a debate, it is your individual views that matter. In a Group Discussion, apart from your individual views, he views of the entire group matter.
In Public Speaking / Debating, the speaker can take a particular position on the topic and speak accordingly. In a Group Discussion, all the members of the group will participate and one has to listen to the views of the other members of the group. It is a discussion and the speaker will be "interrupted" by the other members of the group while speaking.
How is a Group Discussion conducted?
A group of candidates are made to sit together in a circular / semi-circular fashion or in a U-shape. There will be a person to co-ordinate the Group Discussion (called the moderator).
After the topic is given, the candidates start discussing the topic amongst themselves. They stop the discussion when the moderator asks them to stop.
How many candidates will there be in a Group Discussion?
The group size could range between eight to fifteen students.
How much time is given for each Group Discussion?
Normally, 15 to 20 minutes.
Are the participants expected to address each other by name?
No. You should address a specific person either by looking at him / her directly or by pointing out to him / her.
What is the role of the moderator?
The primary role of the moderator is to evaluate the performance of every participant. He is the person who tells the group members what they should do, announces the topic and the time for the discussion, keeps track of the time of the Group Discussion and evaluates the performance of the candidates who participated in the Group Discussion. For all practical purposes, he is non-existent once the Group Discussion starts.
Does the moderator write the topic on the board?
The moderator normally does not write the topic on the board. He just reads it out and repeats it once - you have to be attentive while the topic is being given and make sure that you have got the wording right.
Will we be given paper and pen / pencil to note down the topic?
No. You are normally expected to carry your own pen / pencil and paper to a Group Discussion.
What are the similarities / differences between Group Discussions and Public Speaking / Debating?
Debating and Public Speaking are one-to-many communication situations whereas a Group Discussion is a many-to-many situation. A debate, an elocution or a public speaking contest are solo performances whereas a Group Discussion is NOT. In a debate, it is your individual views that matter. In a Group Discussion, apart from your individual views, he views of the entire group matter.
In Public Speaking / Debating, the speaker can take a particular position on the topic and speak accordingly. In a Group Discussion, all the members of the group will participate and one has to listen to the views of the other members of the group. It is a discussion and the speaker will be "interrupted" by the other members of the group while speaking.
How is a Group Discussion conducted?
A group of candidates are made to sit together in a circular / semi-circular fashion or in a U-shape. There will be a person to co-ordinate the Group Discussion (called the moderator).
After the topic is given, the candidates start discussing the topic amongst themselves. They stop the discussion when the moderator asks them to stop.
How many candidates will there be in a Group Discussion?
The group size could range between eight to fifteen students.
How much time is given for each Group Discussion?
Normally, 15 to 20 minutes.
Are the participants expected to address each other by name?
No. You should address a specific person either by looking at him / her directly or by pointing out to him / her.
What is the role of the moderator?
The primary role of the moderator is to evaluate the performance of every participant. He is the person who tells the group members what they should do, announces the topic and the time for the discussion, keeps track of the time of the Group Discussion and evaluates the performance of the candidates who participated in the Group Discussion. For all practical purposes, he is non-existent once the Group Discussion starts.
Does the moderator write the topic on the board?
The moderator normally does not write the topic on the board. He just reads it out and repeats it once - you have to be attentive while the topic is being given and make sure that you have got the wording right.
Will we be given paper and pen / pencil to note down the topic?
No. You are normally expected to carry your own pen / pencil and paper to a Group Discussion.
Dhiren Dukhu
1 comment:
hi guys..
I have been selected for Eng Journalism course at IIMC Dhenkanal.. although i opted for Delhi.. but ,may be due to lower rank, i got the Dhenkanal Campus..
Well I knew about the track record of IIMC delhi but I have no ideas about Dhenkanal campus.. Well can nybody tell me about the placements record and the study environment over der..
wud it be wise to join Dhenkanal campus..??
pl help.. responses wub be appreciated..
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