Least-square-error estimate of individual contribution in group project

In a group project, some students may work hard but the others may not participate at all. If we give the same mark to all the students in a group, it would be unfair to the hardworking ones. Therefore, it is important to assess the contribution made by each student. In this paper, we propose an assessment method to estimate the contribution made by every student in a group project. This assessment method can supplement the customary assessment methods adopted by the lecturer. Using this method, every student is required to estimate and state the percentage contribution made by everyone in the group, and the lecturer determines the least-square-error estimates of their respective contribution. We enhance this assessment method to tackle the following two problems: 1) the honest students will try to give the correct estimates but they may give biased estimates on their own contribution and 2) the dishonest students may intentionally give incorrect estimates.