Qualitative Measures of Equity in Small Groups

TL;DR

This paper explores two qualitative measures, inchargeness and civility, to assess equity in small student groups, providing insights into group dynamics among first-generation and Deaf students in STEM preparation.

Contribution

It introduces and applies qualitative measures of equity, specifically inchargeness and civility, to analyze group interactions in educational settings involving underrepresented students.

Findings

Inchargeness and civility effectively characterize group equity.

Qualitative measures reveal differences in group engagement.

Insights support designing more equitable collaborative environments.

Abstract

We investigate the utility of two qualitative measures of equity. Our data are videos of groups of first-generation and Deaf or hard-of-hearing students in a pre-matriculation university program designed to help them persist in STEM fields by developing their metacognitive practices. We analyze video data of students in small groups trying to accomplish various tasks. We analyze how groups engage with proposed ideas (inchargeness) and create a space of open sharing (civility). By capturing different aspects of each group, these measures combine to help our understanding of what an equitable group could look like.