Elitsa Alexander

Understanding the impact of visual representation restrictiveness on experience sharing

This study investigates the effects of the restrictiveness of visuals on the communication process and outcome in small groups. Visual restrictiveness is conceived as the constraints imposed by a graphic template on the process of knowledge work. Through an experiment with ninety six experienced professionals we test the impact of a medium and a high level of visual restrictiveness compared to a control condition. As predicted, the results show that a medium level of visual restrictiveness, embodied in a grid layout, leads to higher experience sharing effectiveness. The impact is mediated by the structural pattern of appropriation of the interactive graphical template (assessed with content analysis). The implications of this study include extending the benefits and applications of visual representations to support group communication and the development (and testing) of the concept of visual restrictiveness. We study the effects of visual restrictiveness on knowledge sharing effectiveness.We experiment with three levels of restrictiveness: none, medium and high.A medium level of visual restrictiveness positively impacts experience sharing.More meaningful concepts will be shared and documented at the medium level.More individual thoughts will be shared and documented at the medium level.

Visual Replay Methodology A Mixed Methods Approach for Group Discussion Analysis

In this article, we propose an innovative mixed methods research (MMR) technique and discuss its theory and applications. The visual replay methodology (VRM) is a new graphic way to investigate the discourse patterns during software-aided small group discussions. A visually supported conversation is recorded through screen capturing and replayed to reconstruct how the discussion has unfolded. The VRM responds to the “integration challenge” that the MMR community is facing—by employing the power of visualization, data integration is leveraged to a new level, where visual synergy gains enable a “value-added” research outcome. By employing multigenre integration and a moderately pragmatic approach, the VRM reduces the researcher–subject power-relation gap and contributes to some long-standing MMR debates regarding reflexivity and participation.