Abstract

The ability to work in a group is an important skill for graduates. Although the experiences of
undergraduate students with group work have been extensively explored, there is much less information
in the literature regarding postgraduate students and no information on those enrolled in science
programmes. In this study, participants from a taught applied chemistry postgraduate MSc programme
report their attitudes and experiences with group work. The usefulness of this approach and of scientific
discourse for learning and teaching several key concepts is also explored. Participants in the study
completed attitudinal questionnaires and group/individual multiple choice question (MCQ) tests. They
reported a range of skills developed through working together, mixed preferences for group vs. individual
assignments, and comparison of the mean MCQ test scores between participants working individually and
in groups demonstrated no statistically significant differences.