Investigating Sequence Patterns of Collaborative Problem-Solving Behavior in Online Collaborative Discussion Activity

Yafeng Zheng, Haogang Bao, Jun Shen and Xuesong Zhai
Additional contact information
Yafeng Zheng: School of Computer and Information Engineering, Henan University of Economics and Law, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Haogang Bao: Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Jun Shen: School of Computing and Information Technology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Xuesong Zhai: College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-17

Abstract: Collaborative problem solving (CPS) is an influential human behavior affecting working performance and well-being. Previous studies examined CPS behavior from the perspective of either social or cognitive dimensions, which leave a research gap from the interactive perspective. In addition, the traditional sequence analysis method failed to combine time sequences and sub-problem sequences together while analyzing behavioral patterns in CPS. This study proposes a developed schema for the multidimensional analysis of CPS. A combination sequential analysis approach that comprises time sequences and sub-problem sequences is also employed to explore CPS patterns. A total of 191 students were recruited and randomly grouped into 38 teams (four to six students per team) in the online collaborative discussion activity. Their discussion transcripts were coded while they conducted CPS, followed by the assessment of high- and low- performance groups according to the developed schema and sequential analysis. With the help of the new analysis method, the findings indicate that a deep exploratory discussion is generated from conflicting viewpoints, which promotes improved problem-solving outcomes and perceptions. In addition, evidence-based rationalization can motivate collaborative behavior effectively. The results demonstrated the potential power of automatic sequential analysis with multidimensional behavior and its ability to provide quantitative descriptions of group interactions in the investigated threaded discussions.

Keywords: behavioral sequence patterns; problem-solving task; online collaborative discussion; visualization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/20/8522/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/20/8522/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8522-:d:428552

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().