1. Introduction

This document presents a framework for assessing Teamwork as part of the Adult Literacy and Life skills survey (ALL). The framework was developed from the literature on teams and what is currently known about teamwork. Overall, the framework serves three purposes. First, it bounds the problem domain by clearly specifying the critical components of teamwork to assess. Our goal here is to target the most fundamental aspects of teamwork. Second, the framework drives our approach to measurement. Strategies that are most effective for assessing team knowledge, skills, and attitudes should be identified and selected. Finally, based on the measurement strategies identified, the framework serves as the template for item development. Items should be developed to target key aspects of teamwork that are specified in this framework.

The framework is divided into five sections. The first presents a detailed discussion of the literature on teams and what is currently known about the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for effective team performance. Here, we present our definition of a team and clearly delineate the core facets of teamwork. Rather than including all variables, we present the core dimensions that characterize what teams do. These dimensions are assumed to be central to all teams, regardless of culture.

In the second section, we draw on the results of our literature review to build a model of teamwork. The purpose of this model is to identify key areas for measurement in ALL. In particular, we propose that the teamwork measure should assess what team members bring to a team (e.g., attitudes, past experience, etc.) and what team members do in a team (e.g., interact, coordinate, etc.).

Our proposed framework is intended to target the most fundamental aspects of teamwork and recognizes that the primary goal of the teamwork measure is not to assess differences in culture. Nonetheless, given the interpersonal nature of teamwork, we anticipate cultural differences. The third section of this framework addresses this issue. In particular, relevant cultural research is reviewed, and the implications of these studies are discussed in light of our objective (i.e., measuring team knowledge, skills, and attitudes internationally).

Once the key facets of teamwork are identified and the possible effects of culture are discussed, the fourth section of this framework presents specific strategies for measuring teamwork. We first present the theoretical and practical assumptions that guide our approach. Next, we describe each proposed teamwork measure with respect to the measurement approach employed, the process by which items were developed, and the procedures for scoring.

Finally, the fifth section of this framework briefly discusses social and economic indicators that may affect teamwork. Here, variables are proposed for the respondent background questionnaire. Information on these variables, which are expected to moderate participant responses on the teamwork measure, should also provide insights into the determinants of teamwork in different nations.