Factors affecting the utility of technology-mediated collaboration in science and engineering

Authors:
Jeremy Birnholtz
Affiliations:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Venue:
CHI '04 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Year:
2004

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Abstract

There is significant interest in scientific and industrial collaboration and the CSCW technologies to support it. What is missing, however, is a means for systematic assessment of prospective users, in order to determine what tools are needed and how organizational factors encourage or discourage collaboration. This study proposes development and deployment of a survey instrument measuring social and organizational factors that will likely affect the utility of collaboration for scientists in 3 fields. Results will drive the design of other types of tools for assessing group needs, and specific recommendations about tools likely to be useful under different conditions.