ERIC Number: ED274870
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1986-Nov
Pages: 28
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Expressed Satisfaction with the Nominal Group Technique among Change Agents. A Summary Report of Research. Departmental Information Bulletin 86-1.
Gresham, Jon N.
A study examined the different degrees of satisfaction with the nominal group technique (NGT) felt by policymakers and change agents with differing professional backgrounds and responsibilities who participated in nominal groups. A total of 206 participants at four conferences at Texas A&M University (international food and water policy, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, English Language Institute curriculum, and school principals' conferences) served as the study population. The conference participants were surveyed with respect to their opinions on the usefulness of NGT, personal involvement with NGT, feelings about NGT versus other group techniques they may have used previously, and non-NGT group activities. The participants at al four conferences expressed satisfaction with the NGT. Although professional background did not appear to influence the degree of satisfaction with the NGT, the degree of understanding of the purpose and procedures of the NGT did have a significant effect on attitude toward the effectiveness of the NGT. Despite the general satisfaction with NGT that was expressed by the majority of participants in all four conferences, there was a consistent thread of dissatisfaction with the use of NGT among some participants across all four groups. This thread of dissatisfaction led to the conclusion that caution should be used in forcing a consensus-generating technique upon group participants who may not place a high value on group unanimity. (Appendixes to this report contain an outline explaining the NGT and a list of the attitude items comprising the four theoretical constructs pertaining to the participants' satisfaction with the NGT. A 34-item reference list is included.) (MN)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Texas A and M Univ., College Station. Dept. of Agricultural Education.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A