Measuring Cohesion in Human-Autonomy Teams: Development of a Cohesion Scale for Use in Human-Autonomy Team Research

Author(s):

Catherine Neubauer, Shan Lakhmani, Andrea Krausman, Sean M Fitzhugh, Samantha Berg, Ericka Rovira, Jordan Blackman, Trinity Garay, and Daniel Forster

Abstract:

Cohesion is a critical aspect of human-autonomy team function and effectiveness, yet there is a need for more robust methods to adequately measure this construct. This report documents the process used to develop and validate a new team cohesion scale, specifically directed toward use within human-autonomy teams. Here we describe the phases of the development process including item development, scale item evaluation, content validation, and an online scale validation study to further reduce the number of items. Taken together, the results of these analyses highlight several items with very good measurement properties, especially from the items designed to assess perceived complementarity, morale, leadership direction, and perceived efficacy. However, some items with excellent properties still belong to measurement scales with apparent issues. Overall, these results will help guide recommendations for future measures of cohesion in human-autonomy teams.