Dataset for "Reassessing Free-Riding in Student Teamwork: An Ethical-Analytical Framework for Evaluating Collaboration in Higher Education"

1 Title: Dataset for “Reassessing Free-Riding in Student Teamwork: An Ethical-Analytical Framework for Evaluating Collaboration in Higher Education” Authors: Jan Fazlagić, Justyna Światowiec-Szczepańska Natalia Rudnicka-Basek, Elżbieta Kopciuszewska Identifier (Zenodo DOI): 10.5281/zenodo.17624629 Related Publication: manuscript submitted to Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education 1. Overview This dataset accompanies the research study examining free-riding behavior in student group projects within higher education. The purpose of the dataset is to provide open access to the empirical data used to analyze student perceptions, instructor practices, and contextual factors associated with free-riding, which were discussed in the associated research article. 2. Data Collection and Method • Method: Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) • Period: June 2024 • Location: University of Białystok and Vistula University (Poland) • Languages: Polish and English versions of the questionnaire • Sample size: 407 valid responses • Population: Undergraduate and postgraduate students who participated in at least one team-based project during their studies. 3. Unit of Analysis Each row in the dataset represents one individual student who responded to the survey. The data are cross-sectional and self-reported. Observations are independent. 4. Dataset Structure The dataset contains 47 variables (see detailed codebook below), grouped into the following thematic blocks: • Experiences with team project work (Var1–Var11) • Personal engagement in free-riding (Var6–Var7) • Observed free-riding behaviors (Var8–Var10) • Instructor behavior (Var12–Var29) • Factors promoting or inhibiting free-riding (Var33–Var45) • Demographic variables (Var46–Var47) All variables are coded using consistent numerical scales, with labels defined in the codebook section below. 5. Ethical Considerations All data were collected anonymously. Participation was voluntary and informed consent was obtained digitally from all participants. No personally identifiable information is included in the dataset. 6. File List • dataset.xlsx: raw data spreadsheet (one row per participant) • README.pdf: documentation with full codebook and variable metadata 7. Codebook Var1 How many team projects have you participated in? (1 -1; 2 - 2-5; 3 - 6-10; 4 - more than 10) 2 Student protests against free-riding (1Never 2 - One time; 3 - More than once) Var2 I raised a protest on the team forum against the addition of a specific individual, and it was accepted (the person was ultimately not included among the authors) Var3 I reported a complaint to the instructor about the individual or individuals who were not sufficiently involved in the team's work Var4 The other team members did not protest when individuals who did not contribute to the project's creation joined the team Var5 I protested when one or more team members 'piggybacked' onto the team, despite not contributing to the project's creation Var11 One or more students have faced harassment or reputational damage within their immediate community due to their attempt to 'piggyback' on the work of othersinnych. Personal engagement in free-riding in group projects (1Never; 2 - One time ; 3 - More than once) Var6 I joined the team that was already in the process of working on the project Var7 I participated in the project but did not contribute to its implementation Students' use of free-riding in group projects (1Never; 2 - One time; 3 - More than once) Var8 Individuals who had minimal contribution to the team's work received the same evaluation as the members whose contribution was crucial for completing the project Var9 All team members worked honestly and contributed adequately to the final work Var10 During the project, one or more individuals disconnected from the team, but their name/names still appeared among the authors at the end Passive attitude of instructors towards students' free-riding (1 – Never; 2 – Sometimes; 3 – Always) Var13 Accepting the situation where a new member joins the team during the project implementation Var14 Extending the project deadline Var15 Lack of interest regarding the contribution of individual team members Var16 Avoiding the role of mediator in case of conflict among team members Active instructor behavior: Monitoring and verifying individual contributions in group projects (1 – Never; 2 – Sometimes; 3 – Always) Var12 Requiring team members to describe their individual contributions to the final deliverable Var17 The lecturer taking on the role of a mediator during conflicts Var23 Offering individual support for students Var24 Individual assessment of contribution by the lecturer Var28 Continuous monitoring of project progress Var29 Checking the contribution of each team member during the presentation of the individual project 3 Instructor support for teamwork and team roles among students (1 – Never; 2 – Sometimes; 3 – Always) Var19 Presenting precise expectations for students in the team Var20 Motivating project team members to greater involvement Var21 Developing new competencies among team members to improve team effectiveness Var22 Establishing milestones and periodic evaluation of team work (stages) Var25 Team members evaluate themselves (self-assessment) Var26 Designing the task in a way that utilizes the potential of each team member Var27 Final assessment of the project based on the quality of teamwork (not just the outcome) Actions or factors promoting free-riding (1 - No influence; 2Inhibits the occurrence of free-riding; 3 - Promotes free-riding) Var33 Lecturers do not react to unethical behaviors in teams Var34 Lack of collaboration skills (students avoid work because they don't know how to engage in team tasks) Var35 The task is considered too difficult by the student Var36 Allowing students to choose team members Var37 Requiring each team to submit a report verifying the contribution of individual members Var38 Introducing penalties for free-riding students who attempt to add themselves to the list of authors Var39 The topic of the task is interesting to students Var40 Team training before starting work on the project Var41 Selecting a team leader tasked with overseeing the team's work Var42 Leadership training focusing on the skill of involving all team members in project work Var43 The team members know each other well and get along Var44 Clearly defined expectations and assessment criteria Var45 Team division and 'detachment' of students not contributing to the rest Var46 Mode of study 1Full-time; 2 - Part-time, Erasmus, MBA, Postgraduate, Doctoral Var47 Age 1 - 18-21; 2 - 22-24; 3 +24