Can high group cohesion be harmful? A case study of a junior ice-hockey team is an article written by a group of authors who used quantitative research. This research method is used for a number of reasons, the main of which is the purpose of the discussion. It should be mentioned that the method which is going to be used for specific research is usually considered on the basis of the problem which should be checked and the predicted outcome of the research (Creswell, 2007). Reading the article under consideration, it becomes obvious that qualitative research is the best method that may be used for the information which was planned to be obtained.
The main purpose of the research by Rovio, Eskola, Kozub, Duda, and Lintunen (2009) is to research the relationships between “team sport and social psychological group phenomena such as cohesion, conformity, groupthink, and group polarization” (p. 421). It was predicted that even though cohesion positively impacts groups, it may also lead to deterioration. The case under consideration describes exactly this situation when observation and interviews showed that team has deteriorated. The purpose was to consider the connection between sports performance and social phenomena and the researchers failed to consider tight relationships.
The participants of the research are the members of a junior-league ice-hockey team, 22 players aged 15-16, and three adult coaches. The authors of the research do not offer a detailed description of the participants of the experiment which could add to the understanding of the research outcomes. The researchers also failed to consider the relationships in the team behind the ice hokey season and used only the information which was available from the entire beginning of the season. Thus, the data considered in the research is based on the working process, neither home nor school relations between team members are involved in the research data.
The data for the research was gathered using several methods, observation, and an interview. The research lasted for a year. These methods are considered to be the main tools for qualitative research (Creswell, 2003). Observation is one of the best methods for being used in this situation as the authors of the research wanted to consider how team members behaved in the team and how their relationships connected with such notions as cohesion, conformity, groupthink, and group polarization. Observation is the best method as watching students and having an opportunity to describe their relationships, the researchers can draw appropriate conclusions in the direction of the chosen problem. The data collected by the researcher was impressive. The information was presented in 105-paged (single-spaced) documentation where the following data was gathered: (1) enumeration and description of the team actions, (2) opinions of team members, coaches, and personal points of view of the researchers, (3) theoretical considerations, and (4) different feelings and emotions connected with the research situation, different cases, etc.
Another method used in this research is an interview. The interview was based on a conceptual model where interviewees were to rate the statements from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The researchers have not provided the questionnaire having just stated the criteria according to which the data was evaluated. Therefore, four basic criteria were assessed, “Individual Attraction to the Group-Task”, “Individual Attraction to the Group-Social”, “Group Integration-Task”, and “Group Integration-Social” (Rovio, Eskola, Kozub, Duda, & Lintunen, 2009, p. 426). Even though the authors use just qualitative research methods, it was possible to apply to the quantitative methods and implement some specific tools. Therefore, the research could be a mixed one, but the researchers have not stated tose purpose. The results of the research are perfectly structured. Rovio, Eskola, Kozub, Duda, and Lintunen (2009) managed to organize the results into five specific groups according to the notions offered in the purpose of the study. After the research results were presented, the model of group performance deterioration was developed. The researchers managed to use the results of the observations and interviews in a proper way. It should be stated that the research has a preliminary character and the recommendations for future research are provided. Rovio, Eskola, Kozub, Duda, and Lintunen (2009) are sure that both qualitative and quantitative research methods are necessary for making the research question fully considered. Additionally, conducting this quantitative research, the previous comments and recommendations were used into consideration.
In conclusion, it should be stated that the article under discussion describes the research aimed at measuring the relationships between sports team performance and social psychological group phenomena. The research was based on the qualitative method which perfectly met the research purpose. An observation that lasted for a year and an interview with the coaches of the sports team was the main means for gathering data. The result of the research was the model of group performance deterioration which compared the predicted team relationships and the real ones. Therefore, the sports team performance does not mean a high level of cohesion even though students aged 15-16 spend too much time together while training.
Reference List
Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. New York: SAGE.
Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design choosing among five approaches. Lincoln:
Rovio, E., Eskola, J., Kozub, S. A. Duda, J. L. & Lintunen, T. (2009). Can High Group Cohesion Be Harmful? A Case Study of a Junior Ice-Hockey Team. Small Group Research, 40(4), 421-435.