Section 1: Introduction. What is a group – and what does it do. The group in its wider context. Section 2: The small group process. Setting the scene for effective small group work. Facilitation. Methods used in group work. Forming. Storming and norming.. Performing. Evaluation group process. When groups go wrong. Section 3: Small group work in educational settings. Evidence for effectiveness of small group work in education. A case study of using small groups in postgraduate education – teaching evidence-based health care. The virtual small group. Section 4: Small group work in organisational settings. Group problem solving. Groups across boundaries: multidisciplinary and multi-agency team working.Project management. Leadership. Section 5: Small groups in research. The focus groups as a research tool. Consensus research.