Computer-mediated Communication Research Articles

Faculty computer-mediated communication apprehension during shift to emergency remote teaching: implications for teacher-student interactions and faculty organizational outcomes

Guided by the model of faculty readiness for online teaching (FROT), the goal of the current study was to investigate the influence of instructors' knowledge (e.g., online teaching preparation), confidence (e.g., computer-mediated communication apprehension; CMCA), and attitudes about online teaching (e.g., perceived usefulness) on their communicative and organizational outcomes (e.g., communication frequency and satisfaction, job satisfaction, motivation). We recruited 206 college instructors from a variety of institutions to report on their experiences during the transition to emergency remote teaching in the spring 2020 academic semester. Results from the study suggest that instructors' CMCA was a significant and negative predictor of instructors' communication satisfaction with online student interactions, job satisfaction, and motivation to teach after controlling for the other predictors in the model. Taken together, the findings suggest that CMCA may serve as a barrier to instructor communication competence in online teaching and may have deleterious impacts on instructor affect toward their positions. Ultimately, we recommend that faculty workshops aimed at developing online teaching competence should specifically address instructor dispositional and affective characteristics such as CMCA to prevent faculty vulnerability.

English Code-Mixings in WhatsApp interactions among Spanish adolescents and their orthographic competence

Aims: The widespread use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) among adolescents has favored the creation of a newly written code called digitalk. This new code includes, among other characteristics, the use of foreign words as textisms, mainly anglicisms. These textisms also serve as a mark of identity among young speakers. The aim of this paper is twofold: first, to describe which are the more frequent anglicisms used by Spanish adolescents in their CMC and the code-mixing pathways of inclusion; second, to examine the possible influence between the use of anglicisms in the CMC of Spanish adolescents and their orthographic competence. Method: Based on an exploratory methodology, a corpus of interactions through WhatsApp of a group of adolescents attending Compulsory Secondary Education in a region of southern Spain has been analyzed. Data analysis: Sketch Engine software was used for corpus analysis, presenting the normalized frequency (1/1,000) of textisms, misspellings, and multimodal elements. Finally, for the descriptive statistical analysis of the data and for the bivariate correlation analysis applying Pearson’s coefficient, IBM SPSS v.26 software was used. Findings: The results indicate that young people use English Code-Mixings (ECM) as discursive framers with an expressive aim and as a sign of belonging to a specific community of speakers. Moreover, no positive correlation is observed between the use of these ECMs and a lower orthographic competence. Implications: ECMs show an important pragmatic function in CMC among Spanish adolescents. Furthermore, they are one of the elements that have been incorporated into the digital norm of Spanish and can be used in Compulsory Education as a resource for the acquisition of communicative competence in adolescents along with other textisms. Originality: This is the first research that analyzes the frequency and function of anglicisms in Spanish CMC and their impact on the orthographic competence of Spanish adolescents.

Language portraits going digital and multimodal: deciphering the translanguaging space and linguistic repertoires among multilinguals

In recent years, language portraits (LPs) have emerged as a valuable tool for visually representing multilingual learners’ linguistic repertoires. However, previous studies have primarily relied on traditional methods of inviting participants to sketch their language portraits on paper using pens and crayons. In this paper, we propose the use of digital methods to collect and analyze data on language portraits to examine the translingual practices and negotiations of meaning among multilingual individuals. By utilizing Synchronic Computer-Mediated Communication platforms, participants can actively deploy and mobilize multi-linguistic and multi-semiotic resources in lived experiences, engaging in interactive translanguaging practices. In this particular case study, data were collected through a biographic survey and a sketch of the language portraits in digital form, which were then further supported by follow-up interviews. Four participants’ LPs and oral narratives during the interviews were then subjected to qualitative multimodal analysis and discourse analysis. The results revealed that these digital language portraits (DLPs) possess significant features such as digital affordance and multimodality. They tap into the translanguaging spaces that emerge from the creative and critical meaning-making process, enabling multilingual individuals to visualize their linguistic repertoires through digital visual strategies. Furthermore, it was discovered that DLPs can foster creative performance and discursive negotiations, thereby enhancing participants’ expressive abilities in developing their language perceptions.

“I would not want to be viewed as someone that complains”: a mixed methods analysis of the factors that contribute to concealment and disclosure of workplace cyberbullying

ABSTRACT Almost half of all U.S. employees have experienced some form of workplace bullying . Stress and decreased job satisfaction are just some of the negative impacts victims or bystanders of workplace bullying can undergo . With the increased use of computer-mediated communication and social media, workplace cyberbullying is a concern in addition to face-to-face workplace bullying. The current study explored decisions to disclose workplace cyberbullying from a communication privacy management perspective. Quantitative results from 185 participants show the contextual criteria of important reason and conversational appropriateness to predict the depth of workplace cyberbullying disclosures and important reason to predict the breadth of disclosures. Qualitative results show factors that influenced concealment of workplace cyberbullying include fear of potential negative outcomes, lack of trust, and unwelcome culture, whereas factors that influenced disclosure of workplace cyberbullying included an open and safe space, impact of cyberbullying, the ‘greater good effect,’ and confidence in the situation improving. Results of this study can assist organizations and leaders in creating environments and trainings that encourage employees to disclose workplace cyberbullying.

Linguistic economy and slang as used by Jordanians on Twitter

In the context of the rapidly expanding technological landscape, social media platforms have become arenas for innovative communication. This study focuses on the linguistic strategies employed by Jordanian Twitter users within the framework of Computer Mediated Communication (CMC), considering the concept of linguistic economy. The data for this study were derived from 300 tweets, employing digital ethnography for virtual fieldwork. There were a number of 15 users randomly selected for interviews to further understand their language use on Twitter. Employing the descriptive qualitative content analysis, the following linguistic strategies were found in this study, they are Romanized Jordanian Arabic, code-switching, linguistic economy (shortening, contractions, clipping, and acronyms), and slang (repetition, onomatopoeia, cacography, and capitalization). The prevalence of Jordanian Romanized Arabic and strategic code-switching demonstrated users’ adaptability in navigating Twitter’s language. The study highlighted the dominant role of linguistic economy within the 160-character limit, with users employing strategies such as shortening, contractions, clipping, and acronyms. Expressive techniques like repetition, onomatopoeia, cacography, and capitalization were identified as creative ways to convey emotions and attitudinal meanings. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into the developing language dynamics on social media, offering insight into the intricate ways users shape communication in the digital age.

The effect of web-based peer feedback on students’ writing achievement

Peer feedback via CMC modalities has become an alternative to conventional in-class peer feedback due to the rapid rise of educational technology and the widespread use of computer-mediated communication in L2 education. Despite the fact that much research has been published on the benefits of CMC tools for enhancing L2 proficiency, the number of studies on peer feedback provided on online platforms and its effect on L2 writing achievement is limited. Therefore, the current research, with the participation of 42 university preparatory class engineering students, aimed to investigate the effectiveness of web-based peer feedback on L2 writing achievement and their views towards web-based peer feedback. For this study, the purposive sampling method was employed. To collect the data, pre-and post-tests were used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the experimental group members. The findings have indicated that compared to traditional teacher feedback, web-based peer feedback is found to be more effective in improving students’ L2 writing achievement. Regarding the views of participants, web-based platforms to give feedback has several advantages, including practicality, ease of access, motivation, and continuous learning. The quality of the input, a lack of technological resources, or connectivity problems were regarded as the disadvantages.

Digital Bonds: Exploring the Impact of Computer-Mediated Communication on Parent–Educator Relationships in Early Childhood Education and Care

Despite advancements in the use of mobile technology in recent years, investigation of the technology designed for communication in parent–educator relationships in early education and its impact remains limited. This study investigated how computer-mediated communication could support parent–educator communication in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. The participants selected were parent users (n = 140) at sites in Ontario, Canada, who had implemented a specified communication application; these participants were recruited by email, as identified within the organization’s database. Using a retrospective mixed-method design involving open- and close-ended and blended questions, an online survey consisting of 47 researcher-created questions was used to assess participants’ perspectives of changes in parent–educator communication. The quantitative and qualitative survey data were analyzed using paired sample sign tests and thematic analysis. Computer-mediated communication was found to have the potential to strengthen parent–educator communication practices, particularly when paired with face-to-face communication. The participants reported increased communication content regarding their children’s daily experiences, which positively influenced both parent–educator and parent–child relationships. To facilitate technology-mediated communication in childcare settings in the future, ongoing training and clear expectations for its use are recommended to support the effective application of technology within parent–educator communication practice.

Predictors of work-related cyberaggression in a random sample of the Swedish working population

PurposeWith greater numbers of employees using computer-mediated communication, cyberaggression is becoming a more pressing problem for employees and their organizations. However, while a growing body of research illustrates its harmful effects, little is known about the factors that drive its occurrence. The authors therefore sought to identify factors that increase the risk of cyberaggression among employees.Design/methodology/approachA random sample of the Swedish working population (N = 11,556) was surveyed via Statistics Sweden (SCB), which produced a final sample of N = 2,847 (response rate = 24.6%).FindingsLogistic regression analysis showed that emotionally demanding work, availability expectations, low perceived work quality, public sector work and being in a managerial position were related to higher levels of experienced cyberaggression. In addition, exploratory analyses indicated that some of these factors were more strongly related to cyberaggression enacted by organizational insiders compared to organizational outsiders.Originality/valueTogether, the authors' findings suggest that situational factors are stronger antecedents of cyberaggression victimization than personal factors. This has implications for organizations, as practical steps can be taken to reduce cyberaggression among employees.

Consumer Relations through Digital Communication Strategy: A Case Study of After-Sales Service At Pt. Bardi Solusi Otomasi

This research was conducted to analyze the digital communication strategy implemented by PT Bardi Solusi Otomasi in providing after-sales services to consumers who have purchased Bardi products. In the initial observation, researchers noticed an increased focus on services delivered to consumers through digital communication in the context of after-sales. The qualitative research method, relying on observation and interviews, was applied to collect data from PT Bardi Solusi Otomasi and consumers who have placed repeat orders. In relation to Computer-Mediated Communication and Customer Relationship Management, the research results indicated that the company could address problems and maintain consumer relations effectively through the Forum Diskusi channel.

Impact of Symbolic Interactionism, Pragmatism and Social Constructionism on Communication and Media Practice

As communication technologies and media platforms continue to evolve, there is a growing need to re-examine the theoretical paradigms underpinning our understanding of human interaction and meaning-making. This research elucidates the enduring relevance of three sociological perspectives—Symbolic Interactionism, Pragmatism, and Social Constructionism—for making sense of contemporary communication landscapes. Employing a qualitative meta-synthesis methodology, we analysed 50 academic articles and book chapters discussing applications of these perspectives within communication and media studies. Our analysis reveals how core concepts from each tradition—including symbolic meaning-making, practical consequences of communication, socially constructed representations—contain explanatory power for grasping new communication patterns and challenges brought by digitalization. Researchers apply Symbolic Interactionist notions of symbolic cues and improvised self-presentations to study computer-mediated communication and social media self-constructions. Pragmatist views on communicative actions as tools for desired ends inform critical analyses of fake news propagation and disinformation campaigns. Social Constructionist emphasis on mass media representations shaping shared realities has expanded to deconstructions of algorithmically-curated information environments. By elucidating these and other linkages, our study aims to revitalize engagement with forgotten or overlooked theoretical foundations in order to advance communication scholarship and enhance reflexivity within emergent media ecosystems. We conclude that integrating insights from Symbolic Interactionism, Pragmatism, and Social Constructionism remains vitally important, both for scholarly aims of explaining reality and practical aims of consciously shaping it.

Detecting deception in computer-mediated communication: the role of popularity information across media types

PurposeWith the widespread use of online communications, users are extremely vulnerable to a myriad of deception attempts. This study aims to extend the literature on deception in computer-mediated communication by investigating whether the manner in which popularity information (PI) is presented and media richness affects users’ judgments.Design/methodology/approachThis study developed a randomized, within and 2 × 3 between-subject experimental design. This study analyzed the main effects of PI and media richness on the imitation magnitude of veracity judges and the effect of the interaction between PI and media richness on the imitation magnitude of veracity judges.FindingsThe manner in which PI is presented to people affects their tendency to imitate others. Media richness also has a main effect; text-only messages resulted in greater imitation magnitude than those viewed in full audiovisual format. The findings showed an interaction effect between PI and media richness.Originality/valueThe findings of this study contribute to the information systems literature by introducing the notion of herd behavior to judgments of truthfulness and deception. Also, the medium over which PI was presented significantly impacted the magnitude of imitation tendency: PI delivered through text-only medium led to a greater extent of imitation than when delivered in full audiovisual format. This suggests that media richness alters the degree of imitating others’ decisions such that the leaner the medium, the greater the expected extent of imitation.

Knowledge Mapping of Blended Learning Classroom Environment Studies (1996-2023)

The classroom environment has undergone a fundamental shift since the era of information and communication technologies, with blended learning (BL) gaining increasing attention in recent years. In light of the limited number of studies that have reviewed the integration of BL and classroom environments in scientific publications, the present study analyzed a total of 283 publications from the WOS database. This analysis provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, which reveals the following key findings: Firstly, research in this area has shown progressive development, indicating its maturation over time. Secondly, Garrison emerged as the author with the highest number of citations in 67 records, while Kim stood out as the most prominent author citing Garrison. Thirdly, the top three countries and journals that have made the most significant contributions to these studies are the United States, China, and Spain, along with the journals Computers & Education, Internet and Higher Education, and the British Journal of Educational Technology. Fourthly, the most cited articles are Boelens et al. (2017), O’Flaherty et al. (2015), Abeysekera et al. (2015), Bernard et al. (2014), Thai et al. (2017), and Rasheed et al. (2020). Finally, it was not until 2008 that more keywords such as “computer-mediated communication” (related to the technological environment), “cooperative or collaborative learning” (related to the social environment), “engagement,” and “selfefficacy” (related to the cognitive environment) began to receive more scholarly attention. The research on engagement is considered to be an emerging trend.

Bonjour la famille!

Abstract Rooted in African postcolonial pragmatics, this research pays particular attention to the strategic use of code-switching and other linguistic strategies for relationship maintenance in instant messaging communities that constitute translanguaging spaces. To this end, by means of a quantitative and computer-mediated communication discourse analysis, we examine the naturally-occurring interactions, on WhatsApp, of a group of 74 former university classmates who studied Spanish Philology in the mid-2000s at a Cameroonian university. The close observation of the group’s interactional strategies for relationship maintenance shows that members construct their online famille – their new social space for self-presentation – by means of (1) sociolinguistic and pragmatic norms drawn from indigenisation; (2) kinship terms as forms of address, in English and Spanish in texts mainly in French; and (3) the inclusion of religious terms as a politeness strategy. The use of Spanish as the tie-sign of the group is not as relevant as initially expected.

To Explore the Influence of AR-Filtered Selfies on Impression Management in Users' Intrapersonal Communication Under Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)

Selfies are increasingly being shared on social media. On the basis of selfies, traditional beauty filters only finish tasks like whitening and face-lifting. However, with the introduction of augmented reality technology into selfie filters, more and more virtual impressions are presented, causing new influences on social media.This paper explores the influence of AR filters on the impressions management of selfie under Computer Mediad Communication (CMC) from the perspective of Goffman's (1959) dramaturgical theory. This study adopts a qualitative phenomenological research paradigm. Data were collected using document analysis, focus groups and in-depth interviews at two universities in Pingdingshan, China. Research has found that the media characteristics of AR filter selfies allow users to have a rich ability to choose and present their impressions, prompting users to project multiple impressions of themselves on social media. Let users be willing to communicate intrapersonally with AR selfies, thereby achieving self-improvement. This article expands the application scope of new media AR filters of dramaturgical theory in CMC. It also provides a basic understanding of the further communication influence of AR selfies on senders and receivers in CMC. This can provide relevant reference for the government to formulate media policies and manage social media platforms. It can also provide relevant research results as research by other relevant scholars.

Implicit Associations in Computer-Mediated Communication

Abstract: The inclusion of skin-tone modifiers into the standard emoji set in 2015 marked a shift toward increased skin-tone representation in emoji characters. We investigated whether implicit skin-tone bias, as typically found for human faces, also exists for emojis – a topic that is becoming increasingly relevant in computer-mediated communication (CMC) as more of our communication, education, and social exchange takes place in digital spaces. We systematically adapted Harvard University’s most recent skin-tone IAT (Implicit Associations Test) to assess implicit skin-tone bias for emojis. The reliability of our novel skin-tone IAT was good (internal consistency = .87). Data from a racially and ethnically diverse sample of 248 participants revealed that, on average, participants held more positive implicit associations for light than for dark skin-tone emojis: MDscore = 0.39; SDDscore = 0.42; t(247) = 14.76, p < .001; Cohen’s d = 0.93. Participants’ own skin tone predicted the strength of skin-tone bias, R2 = .02, F(1, 247) = 5.41, p = .02. The darker the skin tone of the participants, the less likely they were to exhibit bias in favor of light skin-tone emojis (β = −.14). These results align with the patterns of skin-tone bias that are typically observed for human faces, and extend those insights to emojis that are frequently used in CMC. The results also provide the first evidence that our novel emoji skin-tone IAT can be a useful tool for assessing emoji skin-tone bias.

The Effect of Characteristics of Patient Communication on Physician Feedback in Online Health Communities: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT With the rapid development of e-health and telemedicine, previous studies have explored the relationship between physician-patient communication and patient satisfaction; however, there is a paucity of research on the influence of the characteristics of patient communication on the characteristics of physician feedback. Based on the communication accommodation theory, as well as the computer-mediated communication theory and media richness theory, this study aimed to explore how characteristics of patient communication influence characteristics of physician feedback in online health communities. We employed a crawler software to download the communication data between 1652 physicians and 105,325 patients from the Good Doctor platform, the biggest online health community in China. We built an empirical model using this data and employed a multilevel model to test our hypotheses using Stata and Python software. The results indicate that the amount of patients’ rendered information positively influences the physicians’ text (α = 0.123, t = 33.147, P < .001) and voice feedback (β = 0.201, t = 40.011, P < .001). Patients’ hope for help signals and the provision of their electronic health records weaken the effect of the amount of patients’ rendered information on physicians’ text feedback (α = –0.040, t = –24.857, P < .001; α = –0.048, t = –15.784, P < .001), whereas, it strengthened the effect of the amount of patients’ rendered information on physicians’ voice feedback (β = 0.033, t = 14.789, P < .001; β = 0.017, t = 4.208, P < .001). Moreover, the occurrence of high-privacy diseases strengthened the effect of the amount of patients’ presented information on physicians’ text and voice feedback (α = 0.023, t = 4.870, P < .001; β = 0.028, t = 4.282, P < .001). This research contributes to the development of computer-mediated communication theories and sheds light on service delivery in the online health community.

The Effects of Misinformation Identification in the Computer-mediated Communication Through Media Literacy Intervention

Computer-mediated communication is an integral form of recent communication that allows people to gain information quickly and improve the engagement of information. However, computer-mediated communication also provides a medium for misinformation production and dissemination, which is caused by the need for a fact-checking mechanism, the distribution mechanism of systems, and the difference in the media literacy level of participants. Therefore, this study aims to explore misinformation identification's effect in computer-mediated communication's computer programming section by evaluating and analysing past research to enhance the misinformation research view. Media literacy intervention as a tool to improve the personal capacity for misinformation identification. Results have shown that the capacity of misinformation identification can work in the computer programming section to enhance the fact-checking system and improve the accuracy of information resources, content, and interactions in computer-mediated communication.

How storytelling through the use of avatars could help Fukushima evacuees express themselves: digital archive for people in the diaspora

ABSTRACT The Memorytalk online platform allows users to upload animated human stories. They may also choose to display related photos/characters and construct scenarios. Memorytalk may thus constitute a useful collaborative format for survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake, especially evacuees from the town of Namie, who are now relocated in different areas across Japan, particularly as they are hesitant to talk about where they are from. This study examined various narrated animations created by Namie high school students within the Memorytalk platform, specifically for the purpose of investigating their storytelling methods based on Erving Goffman’s role-distance theory. Memorytalk not only allows avatars that provide users with anonymity when expressing a wide range of memories, it also creates (1) opportunities for face-to-face workshops in the context of computer-mediated communication and (2) the therapeutic benefits of being humorous. In sum, the platform may provide users with a form of role distancing in which people in the diaspora can more freely express themselves and also store valuable local memories.

Investigating the interplay of loneliness, computer-mediated communication, online social capital, and well-being: insights from a COVID-19 lockdown study.

Recent studies have found that there is scope for communication technologies to increase online social capital. Although studies have linked online social capital and mental well-being, there is a need to identify the causal pathways within this relationship. This study explores the role of loneliness in the relationship between computer-mediated communication, online social capital and well-being. The study used an online questionnaire and had 217 participants. William's 2006 scale was used to measure individuals' online social capital, and structural equational modelling (SEM) was used to explore the relationship between computer-mediated communication, use, levels of loneliness, online social capital and well-being. This study was conducted remotely during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Ireland. High levels of online communication mitigated the otherwise negative effects of loneliness on well-being when online interaction fostered online social capital. Overall, the proposed model offers qualified support for the continued analysis of technology-mediated communication as a potential source for building online social capital and improving the well-being of particular individuals with high levels of loneliness.

Phonogram-based Automatic Typo Correction in Malayalam Social Media Comments

The Internet has emerged as a pivotal medium for human interaction, leading to profound transformations in language dynamics, especially in computer-mediated communication (CMC) platforms. These transformations are reflected in changing orthography, graphology, vocabulary, grammar, syntax, pragmatics, and the style of natural languages. Internet-based communication has become more accessible. To increase accessibility, users of Internet-based communication platforms speak in the language that comes more naturally to them. Internet users use new terminologies and phrases to make their messages more engaging. Internet users all over the world are following this trend. Internese is the name of this emerging trend in internet lingo. All the internese features are vividly marked in Malayalam social media comments. Typographical errors are common in Malayalam social media comments. None of the spell checkers currently available in Malayalam recognize words and phrases in the social media comments scripted in Malayalam. This study proposes two different models of automatic typo detectors and typo correctors for Malayalam social media comments. The first model of Malayalam typo detectors and typo correctors is a sequence-2-sequence deep learning model, and the other is a hybrid model. These two models analyzed the input words at their phonogram level. The proposed hybrid system has achieved acceptable performance with the recently built corpus. The sequence-2-sequence model performs rather well. Because of Malayalam's intricate structure, the model's significant reliance on data influences its accuracy.