SLAP Typing Task: A New Experimental Paradigm for Teamwork Research

Abstract

This paper introduces the SLAP typing task, a novel experimental paradigm for teamwork research. In this task, a pair of participants collaboratively type the word "SLAP" on a single keyboard as many times as possible within a given time limit. The task is specifically designed to measure coordination, synchronization, adaptability, and persistence between team members, focusing on evaluating team functionality rather than individual skills. The SLAP typing task is implemented as a web application using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and it automatically collects and manages participant performance data through integration with Google Spreadsheets. This paper presents the theoretical foundations, overview, implementation, usage, and potential applications of the task, discussing its effectiveness and innovativeness in teamwork research.

Keywords: teamwork, experimental tool, real-effort task, complementary task, weakest link

JEL Classification: C92, C88, M50