Argumentation and Incivility in Online Forums: The Case of Discussing Colorism

2021 ◽  
pp. 0261927X2110668
Author(s):  
Susan L. Kline ◽  
Tiffany N. White ◽  
Ralph J. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Skin Tone ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Ad Hominem

Conversation argument theory is used to analyze seven online discussions of colorism, a form of skin tone prejudice. Discussants’ comments (N = 587) expressed ad hominem acts (17%), reasoning activities (59%) and delimitors (e.g., addressed objections, 37%). Unlike general forums confrontation-initiated forums had more ad hominem acts. Posts with compared to posts without ad hominem acts had fewer reasoning activities and delimitors. General colorism forums were the most civil and developed, findings that have implications for designing online forums.

scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY AND LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ON ESL LEARNERS' WORD CONTRIBUTIONS IN FACE-TO-FACE AND SYNCHRONOUS ONLINE FORUMS

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-221
Author(s):  
Shin Yi Chew ◽  
Lee Luan Ng
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
School Students ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Esl Learners ◽  
Synchronous Online

Background and Purpose: Recent technological advancements and Covid-19 pandemic have prompted more opportunities for online learning. However, there is a dearth of empirical research that is focused on high school students. Therefore, this study aims to obtain a more comprehensive view of ESL learners’ involvement or word contributions in a ‘normal’ face-to-face situation and in a synchronous online text-based environment by relating it to their personality and language proficiency.   Methodology: In this study, a quasi-experiment was carried out over four weeks. It involved eight sessions of face-to-face and online discussions with 48 Malaysian high school students who were divided into two matched-sample groups. The participants' feedback was used to support and provide insights on the findings. The quantitative data were analysed using using IBM SPSS statistics 26 software while the participants’ responses to the online feedback session were analysed using open coding and axial coding strategies.   Findings: Statistically significant difference was found in learners’ word contributions during face-to-face and online discussions. Apart from the extroverts with high-intermediate language proficiency, the other groups of learners who are either introverts or having lower level language proficiency were found to produce significantly more words in synchronous online text-based discussions. The non-face-to-face context of online forums might have lowered the learners’ level of anxiety and increased their confidence to interact with their peers. Contributions: Learners’ personalities and language proficiency levels should be considered when choosing a discussion setting and when facilitating discussion activities. More support should be provided for the less proficient or introverted learners to express themselves in a face-to-face discussion.     Keywords: Personality, Language proficiency, Computer-mediated communication, Synchronous text-based online discussions, Word contributions   Cite as: Chew, S. Y., & Ng, L. L. (2021). The influence of personality and language proficiency on ESL learners' word contributions in face-to-face and synchronous online forums. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 6(1), 199-221. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol6iss1pp199-221

Argument Mapping and Content Fusion to Support the Analysis and Synthesis of Information in Online Discussions

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-33
Author(s):  
Ali Gürkan ◽  
Luca Iandoli
Keyword(s):  
Online Discussions ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Semantic Categories ◽  
Aggregate Information ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Space Modeling ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis ◽  
Vector Space Modeling ◽  
Argument Map ◽  
Online Debate

While online conversations are very popular, the content generated by participants is very often overwhelming, poorly organized and often of questionable quality. In this article we use two methods, a text analysis technique, Vector Space Modeling (VSM) and clustering to create a methodology to organize and aggregate information generated by users using Online collaborative Argumentation (OA) in their online debate. An alternative to other widely used conversational tools such as online forums, OA is supposed to help users to join their efforts to construct a shared knowledge representation in the form of an argument map in which multiple points of view can coexist and be presented in the form of a well-organized knowledge object. To see whether this supposition comes into effect we first apply VSM to summarize argument map content as a document space and then use clustering to transform it to a limited number of higher order semantic categories. We apply the methodology to more than 3000 posts created in an online debate of about 160 participants using an online argumentation platform and we show how this methodology can be used to effectively organize and evaluate content generated by a large number of users in online discussions.

Designing for democracy?: an experimental study comparing the outcomes of citizen discussions in online forums with those of online discussions in a forum designed according to deliberative principles

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Strandberg
Keyword(s):  
External Validity ◽  
Public Deliberation ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Current Experiment ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Internal And External Validity

Democratic theorists often envision public deliberation as being essential to the working of democracy. Several scholars have also highlighted a potential for realising such deliberations on the internet. Consequentially, an emerging array of experiments in online deliberation has now been developed to achieve online discussions, which would be beneficial for democracy. However, few studies have yet attempted to compare the outcomes of online mini-publics to online citizens’ discussions in general. This article, thus, concerns an online experiment carried out in 2013 with the purpose of examining whether, and under which conditions, forums designed according to deliberative principles produce better ‘democratic outcomes’ – such as coherence of opinions, increased efficacy, trust, and propensity for civic participation – than online citizens’ discussions, which are ‘left to their own devices’. The study applies a post-test only, 2×2 factorial design, with a control group. In total, N=70 participants taking part in the experiment. The findings indicate that the effects of designing for deliberation were generally positive, albeit not for all of the democratic outcomes. In addition, methodological issues of relevance for the internal and external validity of the current experiment, which could be of relevance for future studies, are also brought forth.

Citizen curation and the online communication of folk economics: the China collapse theory in Hong Kong social media

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1392-1409
Author(s):  
Yu Po Sang
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Mainstream Economics ◽  
Official Discourse ◽  
News Sources

Folk economics has become increasingly influential in today’s era, where laypeople can (inter)actively deconstruct official discourse and form their truth in social media. This article examines the formation and popularization of folk economics by investigating the localized China collapse theory known as zhibao in one of the most influential online forums in Hong Kong. By analyzing the popularization of zhibao as citizen curation – the subjective and non-professional collection, assessment, and criticism of information by participants in online discussions for the benefit of the group – this article questions the dichotomy between folk economics and mainstream economics, arguing that laypeople may selectively appropriate conventional economics into their discourse. Furthermore, by investigating the citizen curation of zhibao diachronically, this article suggests that online discussion participants’ attention to the credibility of the news sources may be negatively related to the credibility of the discourse they are curating.

scholarly journals A virtual academy of polydrug use: Masters, novices and the art of combinations

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 413-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kati Kataja ◽  
Jukka Törrönen ◽  
Pekka Hakkarainen ◽  
Christoffer Tigerstedt
Keyword(s):  
Online Discussion ◽  
Positioning Theory ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Polydrug Use ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Drug Culture ◽  
Online Setting ◽  
The One

Aims: Information technology has become an essential part of drug culture, providing a platform for lay knowledge concerning drug use. Due to the co-effects of different substances, making substance “combos” requires advanced skills to enhance pleasures and manage risks. In this study, we focussed on Finnish and Swedish online discussions as a context for learning and sharing experiences of combining substances. Methods: Taking influences from positioning theory, we used qualitative methods to map what kinds of mutual interactive positions related to the expertise in polydrug use online discussants take and how these positions are negotiated and reformulated in the online setting. We reflect these results through Howard S. Becker’s theory of social learning, according to which becoming a drug user is a process that occurs in interaction with other users, as the beginners need a model and advice from experienced users in order to claim their place in the users’ community. Results: In online forums, users discuss the risks and pleasures of combining drugs – on the one hand, in relation to different situations and, on the other hand, in relation to different competence positions. This occurs by asking for advice, presenting one’s knowledge, challenging others, repositioning oneself, defending one’s position or proving one’s competence. Conclusion: Online discussion forums constitute a kind of virtual academy where knowledge of the pleasures and risks of combining substances is produced and circulated, and where experienced masters mediate their expertise to less experienced novices.

scholarly journals The online forum as a place of exchange of professional experience for Russian and Polish teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol 98 ◽  
pp. 05005
Author(s):  
Elena Asmakovets ◽  
Sławomir Koziej
Keyword(s):  
Research Problem ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Legal Advice ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Times ◽  
State Of Affairs

In the modern world, many aspects of social and professional life are transferred to the Internet. This also concerns the everyday functioning of teachers, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study conducted sought to determine what professional problems involve teachers who seek solutions in the virtual space. The aim of the study was to explore, describe and elucidate the matter examined. In order to explicate the current state of affairs, the following research problem was formulated: what professional issues are discussed by Russian and Polish teachers on online forums? The method for finding the answer to this question was an analysis of the content published on online teacher forums. As revealed by the analysis, the participants of online discussions raise various topics, related to the economic aspect and the prestige of the teacher profession, and everyday functioning at school as an educational and formational environment. The scope of subjects discussed proves to be fairly broad. The research showed the principal interests of Russian and Polish teachers with regard to the topics raised, and confirmed that online forums are an appropriate place to hold discussions, especially in the times of limited direct contact. Participating in online discussions allows teachers to search for answers to questions related to their profession, express their opinions on professional matters, and obtain legal advice or advice on the management of the education process.

scholarly journals ‘Hope you find your ‘eureka’ moment soon’: a qualitative study of parents/carers’ online discussions around allergy, allergy tests and eczema

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e022861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Halls ◽  
Dale Nunes ◽  
Ingrid Muller ◽  
Elizabeth Angier ◽  
Kate Grimshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Discussions ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Allergy Testing ◽  
Online Discussion Forums ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Accessible Information ◽  
Discussion Threads ◽  
Consistent Information ◽  
Source Of Information

ObjectivesTo explore understandings and concerns surrounding allergy, food intolerances and their potential impact on eczema among parents and carers of children with eczema who had posted messages in online forums.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review for active UK-based discussion forums that did not require password/registration to view posts and identified two parenting discussion forums with high activity and frequent use. We used their internal search functions to identify and export discussion threads relating to allergy and allergy testing for eczema from 2011 to 2016. We carried out an inductive thematic analysis of the 120 exported discussion threads.Results246 pages of text were analysed. Analysis led to three main themes: (1) confusion over the language surrounding ‘allergy’ and ‘intolerance’; (2) diverse beliefs about allergy testing in relation to eczema and (3) parents’ frustrations with perceptions of health professionals as uninterested and unhelpful about allergy testing. Forum users were concerned about immediate and delayed-type allergies but showed confusion in how terms were used, as well as different approaches to testing. Parents sought experiences of others, seeking social support as well as practical guidance.ConclusionsThe confusion around allergy-related terminology and its possible relationship with eczema means that it is essential healthcare professionals are able to signpost parents to accurate, accessible information. The lack of consistent information currently available means parents may use online discussion forums as an important source of information. This study suggests that the confused nature of discussions on these forums is inaccurate at best, and detrimental at worst.

Witty divas, nice mothers and tough girls in a sexist world: experiences and strategies of female influencers in online political debates

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Vochocová
Keyword(s):  
Political Communication ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Ad Hominem ◽  
Political Debates ◽  
Male Dominated ◽  
Depth Interviews

The aim of this article is to explain the reasons behind the persisting gender gap in online political communication by examining the experience of women who are among the most visible and active participants in the online discussions on political issues. Data gathered through in-depth interviews reveal that women employ specific strategies to succeed in this environment and to deal with sexist ad hominem assaults – they either emphasize qualities traditionally considered feminine and act as ‘witty divas’ or ‘nice mothers’ or accommodate to the masculine character of the environment by adopting a ‘tough approach’. Some of them even experiment with masculine profiles. These strategies seem to reproduce the traditional patriarchal binary frame and show that even influential women strategically subordinate themselves to the rules of the male-dominated participatory sphere.

Discussion Processes in Online Forums

2019 ◽  
pp. 1702-1713
Author(s):  
Gaowei Chen ◽  
Ming M Chiu
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Group Processes ◽  
Higher Order Thinking ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Social Cues ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Information Transparency ◽  
New Ideas

Online discussion's information transparency, communication flexibility, and opportunities for reflection can enhance information processing, higher order thinking, and learning. Many group processes influence online discussants' creation of correct, new ideas (micro-creativity) and use of social cues. New ideas, justifications, disagreements, and questions in recent messages facilitate micro-creativity. Moreover, new ideas and justifications tend to reduce both positive and negative social cues during online discussions. While agreements elicit positive social cues, disagreements invite negative ones. Meanwhile, participants with more past posts than others often show more micro-creativity. Together, these mechanisms show how sequences of online messages create a local context that influences participants' correct outcomes and social relationships. By understanding these discussion processes, designers can improve online forum interfaces, and educators can help students participate, cooperate, and learn in online forums more effectively.

Discussion Processes in Online Forums

2018 ◽  
pp. 7969-7979
Author(s):  
Gaowei Chen ◽  
Ming M Chiu
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Group Processes ◽  
Higher Order Thinking ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Social Cues ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Information Transparency ◽  
New Ideas

Online discussions' information transparency, communication flexibility and opportunities for reflection, can enhance information processing, higher order thinking and learning. Many group processes influence online discussants' creation of correct, new ideas (micro-creativity) and use of social cues. New ideas, justifications, disagreements and questions in recent messages facilitate micro-creativity. Moreover, new ideas and justifications tend to reduce both positive and negative social cues during online discussions. While agreements elicit positive social cues, disagreements invite negative ones. Meanwhile, participants with more past posts than others often show more micro-creativity. Together, these mechanisms show how sequences of online messages create a local context that influences participants' correct outcomes and social relationships. By understanding these discussion processes, designers can improve online forum interfaces, and educators can help students participate, cooperate and learn in online forums more effectively.

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