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The Effect of Functional Roles on Group Efficiency

Using Multilevel Modeling and Content Analysis to Investigate Computer-Supported Collaboration in Small Groups

Open University of the Netherlands, jan-willem.strijbos{at}ou.nl

Rob L. Martens

Open University of the Netherlands

Wim M. G. Jochems

Open University of the Netherlands

Nick J. Broers

University of Maastricht

The usefulness of roles to support small group performance can often be read; however, their effect is rarely empirically assessed. This article reports the effects of functional roles on group performance, efficiency, and collaboration during computer-supported collaborative learning. A comparison of 33 questionnaire observations, distributed over 10 groups in two research conditions (role and nonrole) revealed no main effect for performance (grade). A latent variable was interpreted as perceived group efficiency (PGE). Multilevel modeling yielded a positive, marginal effect for PGE. Groups in the role condition appear to be more aware of their efficiency as compared to groups in the nonrole condition, regardless of whether they performed well or poorly. Content analysis reveals more task-content focused statements in the role condition; however, this was not as we hypothesized (i.e., the premise that roles decrease coordination). In fact, roles appear to stimulate coordination that simultaneously increases the amount of task-content focused statements.

Key Words: functional roles • computer-supported collaborative learning • computer-mediated communication • multilevel modeling • content analysis

Small Group Research, Vol. 35, No. 2, 195-229 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/1046496403260843


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