How would you classify a group of students working on a research project together?

A group of students working on a research project together is best classified as a secondary group. Secondary groups are typically larger, more impersonal, and focused on achieving specific goals or tasks, such as completing a project. The interactions within secondary groups tend to be more formal and structured compared to primary groups, which are characterized by intimate, face-to-face relationships and emotional connections, such as those found in families or close friends.

In the context of this project, the students are likely interacting primarily to fulfill the academic objectives related to their assignment, rather than for personal or emotional support. This goal-oriented nature aligns well with the definition of a secondary group, as their primary purpose is to accomplish a specific task through coordinated efforts.

Other classifications, such as primary groups, would not apply here due to the lack of deep emotional ties and personal relationships typical of those groups. A social aggregate describes individuals who are physically present in the same place but who don’t necessarily interact meaningfully or work together towards a common purpose, which does not apply to the cooperative nature of working on a research project. A reference group is a group to which individuals compare themselves for social standards, and while the students might consider others for guidance, their collaborative work defines their relationship as a secondary group