Information Sharing and Processing in Computer-Mediated Interactions

2011 ◽  
pp. 58-75
Author(s):  
Jamonn Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Decision Quality ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Task Groups ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Shared Information ◽  
Information Sampling ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Collective Information

This chapter will examine the effects of internet technologies on the collective information sampling (CIS) bias. The CIS bias is the tendency for task groups to favor the introduction, discussion, and use of shared or commonly known information during group discussion, rather than utilizing unshared information that is uniquely known by individual group members. The oversampling of shared information may lead groups to make suboptimal decisions when the content of their unshared information is critical for solving the task. The inherent structure and socially liberating effects of computer-mediated communication (CMC) may offer some solutions for reducing the CIS bias, and thereby increase the decision quality of electronic task groups.

The Effect of Interface on the Structure of Interaction in Computer-Mediated Small-Group Discussion

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence C. Ahern
Keyword(s):  
Small Group ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Traditional Classroom ◽  
Small Group Discussion ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Major Disadvantage ◽  
Group Members

In the traditional classroom, talk is usually considered noise that must be controlled, but there is mounting evidence that talk is vital to learning and education. Implementing a change from the traditional classroom to one that values talk is not a simple matter. Computer technology may provide a solution. However, our understanding of how computer-mediated communication systems affect patterns of interaction is severely limited. Research into the nature of interaction demonstrates that interaction does not normally consist of a succession of disconnected remarks but is a collaborative effort. Consequently, it is important for participants to be able to identify not only for whom a message was intended but also the position of that message in an ongoing sequence of messages. A major disadvantage of current CMC design is that it can be structurally difficult to relate previous messages. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a redesigned user interface on the structure of interaction between group members in a small-group discussion. It was found that a graphic-based interface significantly reduced isolate messages as well as increasing sustained multichannel interaction.

Perceived Behaviors of Emergent and Assigned Leaders in Virtual Groups

2008 ◽  
pp. 1096-1110
Author(s):  
Kathryn R. Wickham ◽  
Joseph B. Walther
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Leadership Theories ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Virtual Groups ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Group Members ◽  
The Impact

While considerable research has explored perceptions of groups and members in computer-mediated communication (CMC), and leadership behaviors in face-to-face groups, little research has examined how leadership is identified in CMC groups. Contemporary CMC theories alternatively stress the impact of salient, stereotyped roles on CMC groups’ perceptions, or the accretion of exaggerated impressions based on behavioral cues. These perspectives, in turn, coincide with predictions about the predominance of alternative forms of leadership: Assigned versus emergent. This study draws on traditional leadership theories from face-to-face group research and applies them to CMC to examine dynamics related to assigned and emergent leaders in online groups. The results of the study demonstrate that CMC groups may identify more than one leader. When identifying emergent leaders, regardless of whether a leader was assigned or not, group members consider perceived amounts of communication, intelligence, and encouraging and authoritarian behaviors.

scholarly journals Computer-Mediated Communication to Facilitate Synchronous Online Focus Group Discussions: Feasibility Study for Qualitative HIV Research Among Transgender Women Across the United States (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea L Wirtz ◽  
Erin E Cooney ◽  
Aeysha Chaudhry ◽  
Sari L Reisner ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
The United States ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Computer Mediated

BACKGROUND Novel, technology-based methods are rapidly increasing in popularity across multiple facets of quantitative research. Qualitative research, however, has been slower to integrate technology into research methodology. One method, computer-mediated communication (CMC), has been utilized to a limited extent for focus group discussions. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess feasibility of an online video conferencing system to further adapt CMC to facilitate synchronous focus group discussions among transgender women living in six cities in eastern and southern United States. METHODS Between August 2017 and January 2018, focus group discussions with adult transgender women were conducted in English and Spanish by research teams based in Boston, MA, and Baltimore, MD. Participants were sampled from six cities: Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; New York, NY; Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; and Miami, FL. This was formative research to inform a technology-enhanced cohort study to assess HIV acquisition among transgender women. This analysis focused on the methodologic use of CMC focus groups conducted synchronously using online software that enabled video or phone discussion. Findings were based on qualitative observations of attendance and study team debriefing on topics of individual, social, technical, and logistical challenges encountered. RESULTS A total of 41 transgender women from all six cities participated in seven online focus group discussions—five English and two Spanish. There was equal racial distribution of black/African American (14/41, 34%) and white (14/41, 34%) attendees, with 29% (12/41) identifying as Hispanic/Latina ethnicity. Overall, 29 of 70 (41%) eligible and scheduled transgender women failed to attend the focus group discussions. The most common reason for nonattendance was forgetting or having a scheduling conflict (16/29, 55%). A total of 14% (4/29) reported technical challenges associated with accessing the CMC focus group discussion. CMC focus group discussions were found to facilitate geographic diversity; allow participants to control anonymity and privacy (eg, use of pseudonyms and option to use video); ease scheduling by eliminating challenges related to travel to a data collection site; and offer flexibility to join via a variety of devices. Challenges encountered were related to overlapping conversations; variable audio quality in cases where Internet or cellular connection was poor; and distribution of incentives (eg, cash versus gift cards). As with all focus group discussions, establishment of ground rules and employing both a skilled facilitator and a notetaker who could troubleshoot technology issues were critical to the success of CMC focus group discussions. CONCLUSIONS Synchronous CMC focus group discussions provide a secure opportunity to convene participants across geographic space with minimal time burden and without losing the standardized approach that is expected of focus group discussions. This method may provide an optimal alternative to engaging hard-to-reach participants in focus group discussions. Participants with limited technological literacy or inconsistent access to a phone and/or cellular data or service, as well as circumstances necessitating immediate cash incentives may, however, require additional support and accommodation when participating in CMC focus group discussions.

Perceived Behaviors of Emergent and Assigned Leaders in Virtual Groups

2009 ◽  
pp. 50-64
Author(s):  
Kathryn R. Wickham ◽  
Joseph B. Walther
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Leadership Theories ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Virtual Groups ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Group Members ◽  
The Impact

While considerable research has explored perceptions of groups and members in computer-mediated communication (CMC), and leadership behaviors in face-to-face groups, little research has examined how leadership is identified in CMC groups. Contemporary CMC theories alternatively stress the impact of salient, stereotyped roles on CMC groups’ perceptions, or the accretion of exaggerated impressions based on behavioral cues. These perspectives, in turn, coincide with predictions about the predominance of alternative forms of leadership: Assigned versus emergent. This study draws on traditional leadership theories from face-to-face group research and applies them to CMC to examine dynamics related to assigned and emergent leaders in online groups. The results of the study demonstrate that CMC groups may identify more than one leader. When identifying emergent leaders, regardless of whether a leader was assigned or not, group members consider perceived amounts of communication, intelligence, and encouraging and authoritarian behaviors.

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