Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
Summer 8-31-2003
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems - (Ph.D.)
Department
Information Systems
First Advisor
Starr Roxanne Hiltz
Second Advisor
Murray Turoff
Third Advisor
Jerry Fjermestad
Fourth Advisor
Bartel Albrecht Van de Walle
Fifth Advisor
Ronald E. Rice
Abstract
This research focuses on how to build a "list" structure to combine individual items of information into some sort of structure that converts the individual items of information into a structure of knowledge relative to the problem. Software was designed to provide relationships among and comparisons of the contributions in a "list" structure, so that individual members of a group process will be able to understand the contributions of information made by the group as a whole.
A List Gathering Tool was designed and implemented, which is one component in a Web-based Social Decision Support System (SDSS) Toolkit. Then, a two-by-two factorial design (list tool support vs. no list tool support, and voting tool support vs. no voting tool support, respectively) controlled experiment and several field studies were carried out to assess the effects of this List Gathering Tool in a group problem solving process.
Overall, the evaluation results are encouraging. The utilization of the List Gathering Tool or the SDSS Toolkit does tend to improve the ability to discover valid alternatives. An additional set of field trials illustrated how the SDSS Toolkit can be utilized in a collaborative learning environment to improve teaching and students' learning experience. This system will also work for very practical applications in large group settings.
Recommended Citation
Wang, Yuanqiong, "Design and evaluation of a list gathering tool in a web-based collaborative environment" (2003). Dissertations. 598.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/dissertations/598
