Interaktionsanalyse in Gruppen: Anwendung und Herausforderungen

Abstract

The systematic observation of groups is an important step towards understanding how people work together. How do groups make decisions? Which solutions prevail? Or which behaviors indicate who is perceived as the group leader? Since the 1950s, interaction analysis is used to describe how group processes unfold. Fundamental to interaction analysis is the detailed coding of specific group behaviors. In this article, we first provide a guideline describing the necessary steps for carrying out interaction analysis in groups, both for research and practice purposes. Next, we present findings from an exemplary field study which highlight the added value of interaction analytical methods for describing group processes. The article closes with an outlook on future challenges and a discussion about how the collaboration between research and practice can be improved.