Development Of A Scoring System For The Team Effectiveness Questionnaire (Teq)

The purpose of this paper is to describe and document the development of a standard score (T-score) for the Team Effectiveness Questionnaire (TEQ). The TEQ was developed as an instrument to measure the effectiveness of engineering students working in teams. It is also useful in helping students understand their strengths and weaknesses as effective team players. The TEQ was developed around the premise that an effective teaming experience is obtained when team members perform well, behave as a team, and maintain a positive attitude toward teaming. The foundational premise of the TEQ is that an effective teaming process directly contributes to the overall effectiveness of the team. An effective teaming process is measured by the mastery of the following seven constructs: common purpose, goal clarification, role clarity, psychological safety, mature communication, productive conflict resolution, and accountable interdependence. In order to fully utilize the TEQ, a scoring system is necessary to facilitate calculating and interpreting results. In choosing the norm reference standard score, T-score, we analyzed and evaluated several other scoring categories such as: content reference, criterion reference, and norm reference. The decision to use the T-score type was made after analyzing and evaluating the characteristics, objectives and/or intentions of the various types. The standard T-score was selected because: 1) it would not report negative values, 2) people are familiar with a 0-100 scale which would allow for easier interpretation, and 3) this type will allow individuals to compare their responses with the norm group. The use of a standard score will minimize false interpretations that a non standardized score could lead to. Without a standard score the interpretation of the results will depend on the criteria of the person that has access to the results. The criteria and procedure used to develop the standard score will be described throughout this article, as well as the characteristics of the norm group that were used as a reference for the interpretation of future results. The mean and the standard deviation for each of the constructs are provided as well as an example of how to calculate a score and how to report it as a Tscore. This standard score will be useful in accurately interpreting the individual’s ability to perform as an effective team member and help them realize what their strengths and deficiencies are in order to improve those characteristics that an effective team player should have.