Computer Engineering Commons^™

The Effects Of Formal Human Leadership And Computer-Generated Decision Aids On Problem Solving Via Computer : A Controlled Experiment, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Kenneth Johnson, Murray Turoff

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

Twenty-four groups of five professionals and managers within a variety of organizations were given the task of using a computer conference to reach agreement on the best solution to a ranking problem.

The independent variable is the structure of the conferencing capability used. Two alternative means of structuring the conferences were employed, in a two-by-two factorial design. Groups with "Human Leadership" elected one of their members to lead the group in its decision making discussion. Groups with "Computer Feedback" were given periodic tables which displayed the current "group decision" in terms of the mean rankings of items, and the degree …

Face-To-Face Vs. Computerized Conferences : A Controlled Experiment, Volume Ii: Methodological Appendices, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Kenneth Johnson, Charles Aronovitch, Murray Turroff

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This is volume II of research report 12. It is comprised of the methodoligical appendices that support volume I.

Replicating Bales Problem Solving Experiments On A Computerized Conference: A Pilot Study, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, Kenneth Johnson, Gail Agle

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

Computerized Conferencing is a new form of communication in which the participants type their comments into a computer terminal, and receive their instructions and the comments of others printed on their terminal. This is a report on the results of a pilot study which was aimed mainly at exploring and solving the methodological problems presented by the need to adapt the procedures for conducting and coding face-to-face discussions to studies of this new medium. It represents the first set of controlled experiments on group discussions via a computerized conference.

The independent variable in this pilot study was mode of communication …

Communications And Group Decision-Making : Experimental Evidence On The Potential Impact Of Computer Conferenging, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Starr Roxanne Hiltz

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This paper is a selective review of small group experiments in the area of the relationship between communication (modes, structures, processes) and group decision-making or problem solving. There are literally hundreds of these experiments; the purpose of this effort has been to isolate and summarize the results of those experimental traditions which may have the most bearing upon:

1. our understanding of the probable social effects of computer conferencing as a communication mode;
2. the identification of possible experiments utilizing computer conferencing which appear to be potentially most fruitful in terms of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of computer conferencing in facilitating …