DEVELOPING AND USING INTERACTION CODING SYSTEMS FOR STUDYING GROUPWARE USE

Groupware use can be described as a process of social (human-computer- human) interaction. For example, small groups can use a group-based ge ographic information system (GIS) to share maps and decision tables du ring a discussion about selection of sites for salmon habitat improvem ent in Seattle, Washington. Empirical research about groupware use is intended to improve our understanding of the dynamics of the process, as well as improve our understanding of the development requirements f or information technology. Gaining a detailed understanding of the hum an-computer-human interaction process requires reasonably unobtrusive observation-for example, using video cameras to capture and replay the ebb and flow of interaction. From each replay of videotape we can abs tract a different research view, hence characterize the ebb and flow o f interaction from a different perspective, giving us deeper insight i nto the interaction. Interpreting and synthesizing the raw observation s to make sense of ''what went on during interaction'' can be accompli shed through the use of interaction coding systems. In this article, w e report on the development of three interaction coding systems that w ere created for studying the use of a group-based, research prototype GIS software, called Spatial Group Choice. We wrote this article to he lp researchers compare approaches to the development of coding systems and compare the value of their use. Despite previous use of coding sy stems by others, there are no detailed reports in the literature of ho w researchers devised their coding systems. We discuss in detail the p rocess of creating and using such coding systems, describing the advan tages and disadvantages of performing interaction coding to foster an understanding of group dynamics in different settings and for designin g new groupware.