A Case Study of Team-based Problem Solving Processes: Comparison between Successful and Unsuccessful Teams

Abstract

Abstract. The goal of current study was to compare the differences between successful and unsuccessful teams among their problem-solving process. According to the results that "completely/correctly solving" (successful), "part solving or completely wrong"(unsuccessful), 3 typical teams were selected from 11 teams randomly, and coded the whole discussion text with Nvivo8. The results showed that: (1) The success or failure of team problem solving was not necessarily related with interaction time, length and frequency. (2) Whether a team could solve the problem or not within limited time depended on the quality of team members' promotion reciprocally. To capture the correct ingredients, discard the wrong ones, and then refined and sustained the others' right thoughts would decide the final result. (3) Successful team was closely monitored peer thinking, and it had outstanding performance on capturing the important cognitive contribution of their companions and keeping advancing. (4) During the process of the team interaction, individual cognition was greatly influence by the quality of team's support.