Visualizations for computer mediated group conversations: exploring the influences of aggregated and articulated data visibility on group dynamics

Groups are becoming increasingly geographically distributed and consequently, computer mediated group conversations are also becoming increasingly distributed. There has been much research that has focused on visualizations that would best assist such computer mediated conversations. Additionally, several theories about group conversations and visualizations have also been developed. In this research, we explore the applicability of one theory in particular called the Social Translucence Theory, which, amongst other things, advocates that individuals in group conversations attempt to conform to the group’s dynamic when individual level information is made available publicly to the entire group. The theory also states that one of the main reasons behind such behavior is the sense of accountability that accompanies making individual level information public. We present a study designed to investigate if the effects of Social Translucence theory can co-exist with anonymity and if group conformity occurs even without individual level information being made public. We found that user behavior patterns did not exhibit significant differences in the two conditions with different levels of data visibility, which suggests that anonymity and accountability in group conversations might not be as key a factor as previously thought to be. In this thesis, we discuss the following: 1) Group conversation theories 2) Experiment rationale and design, 3) visualizations to accompany group conversations and 4) study results.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Computer Science

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Krishnan, Manoj

Contributors dc:contributor

• Karahalios, Karrie G.

• Visualization
• Visualizations for Group Conversations
• Social Translucence Theory
• Group Dynamics
• Data Visibility
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Social Networks

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2013 Manoj Krishnan

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/44238

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/44238