Group Model Building
Group Model Building (GMB) is a participatory research methodology that convenes stakeholders in structured group settings to develop shared understandings of complex social problems. The approach originated within system dynamics research and has been increasingly adapted for use in focus group contexts, particularly in institutional and organizational settings. GMB emphasizes dialogue and the collaborative integration of diverse perspectives to build collective knowledge about multifaceted issues.
Application in Violence Prevention
In the context of children and family violence, GMB serves as a research tool within clearing houses and institutional frameworks tasked with understanding and addressing these issues. The methodology brings together practitioners, researchers, family members, and other relevant stakeholders to map relationships between contributing factors and develop systems-level understanding of violence dynamics. This collaborative approach helps identify intervention points and generates insights grounded in multiple forms of expertise and lived experience.
Methodological Characteristics
The core of GMB involves facilitated group sessions where participants engage in structured dialogue to construct conceptual models of problems. Rather than presenting pre-existing frameworks for stakeholders to react to, GMB builds understanding through the group process itself. This participatory dimension distinguishes it from conventional focus group research, as the primary output is the shared model developed through group interaction, not merely data extracted from participant responses.