Additional Module Group Work Münster Questionnaire for Evaluation (MFE-ZGr)

Abstract

The additional module group work Münster questionnaire for evaluation (MFE-ZGr) is a brief, 7-item supplementary instrument designed for the specific evaluation of group work components within university courses. It forms part of the larger, web-based Münsteraner Fragebogen zur Evaluation (MFE) system used primarily at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster. Developed to ensure high economy and specificity in online data collection, the MFE-ZGr focuses on student perceptions regarding the clarity, organization, learning benefits, and instructor support concerning group activities. The scale is documented in German, and as of its last revision in 2010, the newly formulated version is classified as untested (unerprobt), meaning empirical data regarding its fundamental psychometric properties, such as reliability and validity, are currently unavailable.

Keywords

Teaching Evaluation, Group Work, Higher Education, MFE, Questionnaire, Psychology, Scale Development, Web-based Survey

Authors

Ina Grötemeier, Dr. Dipl.-Psych. Meinald Thielsch

Purpose

The primary purpose of the MFE-ZGr is to provide a focused and flexible method for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of group work as a specific instructional method within university settings. As an optional module within the comprehensive MFE system, it allows instructors to tailor their course evaluations, ensuring that students are only presented with questions relevant to the course’s didactic structure. The scale contributes to the broader goal of quality assurance in Higher Education by identifying strengths and weaknesses specifically related to collaborative student activities and the associated support provided by the teaching staff.

The scale was developed to meet the need for short, economical instruments suitable for high-volume, web-based data collection, contrasting with longer, more general evaluation tools available in the German-speaking academic sphere. By separating general evaluation items from specific content areas like group work, the MFE system minimizes the time burden on students while maximizing the relevance of the feedback gathered.

Construct

The underlying construct measured by the MFE-ZGr is the Perceived Quality and Effectiveness of Group Work in an academic setting. This falls under the umbrella concept of Teaching Evaluation (Lehrevaluation). The seven items assess various facets critical to successful Group Work, including organizational clarity (e.g., goals and tasks made transparent by the instructor), student motivation and engagement, peer interaction and support, instructor support, perceived improvement in teamwork skills, and overall learning outcomes derived from the collaborative process.

Validity

Specific empirical data concerning the validity of the revised MFE-ZGr version (post-2010 revision) are not available, as indicated by the scale’s status as untested (unerprobt). The instrument was developed using content derived from established analysis of good teaching characteristics (Grabbe, 2003), suggesting initial efforts toward establishing content validity. However, quantitative evidence supporting construct validity or criterion validity is pending the collection and analysis of new sample data.

Reliability

Specific empirical data regarding the reliability of the revised MFE-ZGr are not currently provided. The documentation states that no information is available (keine Angaben). Standard psychometric assessments, such as internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s Alpha) or test-retest reliability, have yet to be reported for the revised 7-item battery. Future documentation is expected to include these standard quality criteria once sufficient data from the new item formulation are collected and analyzed.

Factor Analysis

The Group Work module underwent a fundamental item analysis and revision in the summer semester of 2010. Prior to this revision, the original version of the scale presented difficulties in achieving a clear factor solution, as several items were found to be associated with multiple factors. This lack of a clean structure prompted the revision of Items 2 and 7.

Because the current 7-item version is newly formulated, empirical results from a confirmatory Factor Analysis or exploratory analysis for this revised scale are not yet available. The scale is designed to be highly economical and focuses on specific aspects of group work, but its underlying factor structure remains to be confirmed empirically.

Instrument

Test Type: Supplementary evaluation module (Add-on questionnaire battery)

Format: Self-report questionnaire using a 7-point Likert-type scale.

Language Available: German (Deutsch)

Population Group: University students (Studierenden)

Age Group: Typically college/university age (late adolescence to adulthood)

Population Details: Students enrolled in courses (Seminars and Lectures) at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, particularly within the Psychology Department, who participate in group work activities.

Test Methodology: The scale is administered online via a web-based platform. It is typically presented immediately following the core evaluation modules (MFE-Sr for seminars or MFE-Vr for lectures). The scale itself lacks specific introductory instructions, relying on the general information provided when the student first accesses the evaluation system (e.g., data use, technical requirements, demographic questions). Responses utilize a 7-step agreement format, ranging from 1 = “stimme gar nicht zu” (completely disagree) to 7 = “stimme vollkommen zu” (completely agree), plus an option for “nicht sinnvoll beantwortbar” (not sensible to answer).

Keywords

Lehrevaluation, Gruppenarbeit, MFE-ZGr, Psychologisches Institut Münster, Item revision, Web-based evaluation, Student feedback

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not specified in source content.

Affiliation Email addresses: [email protected] (Dr. Dipl.-Psych. Meinald Thielsch)

Correspondence Address: Ina Grötemeier or Dr. Dipl.-Psych. Meinald Thielsch, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Psychologie, Fliednerstr. 21, 48149 Münster, Germany. Further information is available at the project website: http://www.uni-muenster.de/PsyEval.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The scale is part of the institutional evaluation system developed at the University of Münster for internal academic quality control. The Group Work module (MFE-ZGr) was originally introduced around 2003, concurrent with the move towards supplementary evaluation modules. The current, revised iteration of the scale items was finalized following the Summer Semester 2010 item analysis and revision process.

Reference’s

The theoretical foundation and development of the MFE system, including the MFE-ZGr module, are based on several publications supporting the need for efficient and customized academic evaluation:

• Göritz, A. S., Soucek, R. & Bacher, J. (2005). Die online-gestützte Lehrevaluation an der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. In B. Batinic & G. K. W. Lenz (Hrsg.), Online-Assessment (S. 119-130). Göttingen: Hogrefe.

• Grabbe, M. (2003). Entwicklung eines Fragebogens zur Evaluation von Seminaren an der Universität Münster. Unveröffentlichte Diplomarbeit, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster.

• Haaser, A., Thielsch, M. T. & Moeck, P. (2007). Der Münsteraner Fragebogen zur Evaluation (MFE). In A. Bausch & D. G. M. Wosnitza (Hrsg.), Lehrevaluation im Wandel (S. 149-166). Münster: Waxmann.

• Moeck, P. & Thielsch, M. T. (2004). Der Münsteraner Fragebogen zur Evaluation von Seminaren und Vorlesungen (MFE). ZIS (Zusammenstellung sozialwissenschaftlicher Items und Skalen), 13 (1), 7-29.

• Rindermann, H. (1996). Lehrevaluation. Göttingen: Hogrefe.

• Schmidt, U. & Loßnitzer, M. (2010). Instrumente zur Lehrevaluation an Hochschulen. Berlin: Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin.

• Thielsch, M. T. & Weltzin, S. (2012). Online-Lehrevaluation: Erfahrungen und Perspektiven. Zeitschrift für Hochschulentwicklung, 7 (3), 108-121.

Items of the additional module group work Münster questionnaire for evaluation (MFE-ZGr)

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

1. Die Ziele der Gruppenarbeiten wurden durch den/die Lehrende/n transparent gemacht.
2. Mir waren stets meine Aufgaben in den Gruppenarbeiten klar.
3. Mir war an einem guten Ergebnis der Gruppenarbeiten gelegen.
4. Ich habe in Gruppenarbeiten hilfreiche Anregungen von Kommilitonen bekommen.
5. Durch die Gruppenarbeiten wurde meine Teamfähigkeit verbessert.
6. Die Unterstützung des/der Lehrenden bei den Gruppenarbeiten war ausreichend.
7. Ich habe bei den Gruppenarbeiten viel gelernt.