Problem solving by small groups: a study of eighth graders in rural elementary schools of Kern County, California

The general purpose of the study was to make a contribution to instructional and guidance procedures which might promote and encourage the problem solving effectiveness and competence of boys and girls. The problem was divided into three subordinate purposes: 1. To develop a technique for identifying students who possessed proficient problem solving abilities. 2. To compare the productivity in problem solving situations of small groups composed of proficient problem solvers with small groups composed of mediocre or poor problem solvers. 3. To achieve significant increases in small group productivity in problem solving situations by altering the composition of the small groups so that they include some proficient problem solvers.