Development of Protocol To Measure Team Behavior in Engineering Education

C. Molano, S.G. Adams, K. Nagarajarao

Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

In engineering education, research on performance measurement has characteristically focused on the performance of individuals and has not addressed the measurement of team performance. There is growing research, which indicates that team behavior affects team performance and effectiveness. However, an extension of this research in engineering education could not be found. In an effort to assess and advance the science of measuring teamwork in engineering education, this study concentrates on the development of a protocol to measure team behavior. Results indicate that the protocol, which uses a structured checklist, is moderately reliable. Although some progress has been made, there is still much to be learned about team performance measurement in engineering education. This body of research and the results it produces will be useful to engineering faculty in their efforts to assist students in developing their teaming skills, which will lead to an effective team experience.

Paper presented at Measuring Behavior 2005 , 5^th International Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research, 30 August - 2 September 2005, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

© 2005 Noldus Information Technology bv