Media richness, social presence, group cohesion and content of computer-mediated and face-to-face communication
Date
2010-05-24T09:48:33Z
Authors
Huntley, Byron
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Abstract
Even though investigations of knowledge construction within CMC have been conducted (e.g.
Gunawardena, Lowe and Anderson, 1997; Schellens & Valcke, 2004), no research has compared
F2F communication and CMC in terms of the ability to solve complex tasks and to develop
group cohesion. Group cohesion has been found to be vital for group cooperation and
performance. Eight self-formed groups of 5 student participants each volunteered to participate
in this study. Each group was required to solve two standardised, complex tasks in the same
order. Student groups were randomly assigned to one of four medium combinations with two
groups per combination. The combinations were: F2F communication for both tasks, CMC for
both tasks, F2F communication for the first task and CMC for the second task, and CMC for the
first task and F2F communication for the second task. Measures of knowledge construction were
taken using the IAM (Gunawardena et al., 1997), group cohesion (assessed before and after the
tasks) using the GAS (Evans & Jarvis, 1986), and a self-developed scale to assess satisfaction
with the process and the outcome. The results showed that CMC groups produced significantly
fewer contributions, and took a longer time to complete tasks, but there was no significant
difference between the two mediums in terms of knowledge construction. The medium
combination of F2F communication followed by CMC, achieved the least time to completion;
the second most effective medium for knowledge construction, the greatest satisfaction with
respect to group processes and the decision in the first task, and achieved a significantly higher
level of post-manipulation group cohesion.
Description
MA, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009
Keywords
computer communication, face-to-face communication, media, social cohesion