Processes and problems of consensus-making in group discussion

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This study investigates processes and problems of consensus-making in group discussion among Japanese undergraduate students, by applying discourse analytic approaches to video-recorded natural discussion data. Examining every detail that relates to the course of discussion, from the overall structures through which decisions were made, and verbal/non-verbal behavior of each participant, we identified three groups of problems that might hamper logical and smooth decision-making. The study further proposed a discussion-supporting tool for undergraduates with which they could learn how to build up their arguments step-by-step in order to reach a legitimate conclusion within a limited amount of time.