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Greetings OB-Listers

I am in the planning stages of an experiment on the subject of leadership. I am contemplating having the participants engage in a task where I could assess "task performance" as a DV for my leadership manipulation. Are any of you aware of different tasks that have been used in published studies that allow for the assessment of "task performance." I have seen anagrams used, but am interested in identifying a wider range of options.

Also, I would love any advice/criticism on the topic of assessing task performance in an experimental design.

Thank you kindly!

Ryan Gottfredson
Assistant Professor
Mihaylo College of Business and Economics
California State University - Fullerton
rgottfredson@fullerton.edu

Hi Ryan,

This an interesting challenge. Several possibilities come to mind that some of my colleagues have used such as solving mathematical matrices/problems, word searches, answering trivia, and idea generation as is often used in experimental creativity research (e.g., come up with as many uses of a cardboard box as you can).

Before choosing one though, it seems important to determine which facets of task performance best align with your theory, quality, quantity, or some other aspect. If you can narrow that down, you might be able to get more targeted recommendations.

Jason

Jason R. Pierce
Assistant Professor
Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez
jason.pierce@uai.cl




-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan Gottfredson [mailto:rgottfre@INDIANA.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 7:47 PM
Subject: Assessing Task Performance in Experiments

Greetings OB-Listers

I am in the planning stages of an experiment on the subject of leadership. I am contemplating having the participants engage in a task where I could assess "task performance" as a DV for my leadership manipulation. Are any of you aware of different tasks that have been used in published studies that allow for the assessment of "task performance." I have seen anagrams used, but am interested in identifying a wider range of options.

Also, I would love any advice/criticism on the topic of assessing task performance in an experimental design.

Thank you kindly!

Ryan Gottfredson
Assistant Professor
Mihaylo College of Business and Economics California State University - Fullerton rgottfredson@fullerton.edu

Hi Ryan,

In a study of leader credit taking and its impact on subordinates, Matt Rodgers, Chad Proell, and I designed and used an in-basket exercise as an individual performance measure. That study was published in Leadership Quarterly. In an earlier leadership study, I used a computer game called "The Mystery of Time and Space" as a measure of team task performance. That paper was published in Journal of Applied Psychology. I've attached both papers and I'm happy to provide you with more details if you want to discuss.

Regards,
 
- Steve
 
Stephen J. Sauer | School of Business | Clarkson University | 315.268.6457


-----Original Message-----
From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Ryan Gottfredson
Sent: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 7:47 PM
To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
Subject: [OB-LIST] Assessing Task Performance in Experiments

Greetings OB-Listers

I am in the planning stages of an experiment on the subject of leadership. I am contemplating having the participants engage in a task where I could assess "task performance" as a DV for my leadership manipulation. Are any of you aware of different tasks that have been used in published studies that allow for the assessment of "task performance." I have seen anagrams used, but am interested in identifying a wider range of options.

Also, I would love any advice/criticism on the topic of assessing task performance in an experimental design.

Thank you kindly!

Ryan Gottfredson
Assistant Professor
Mihaylo College of Business and Economics California State University - Fullerton rgottfredson@fullerton.edu