Feature Articles From Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication

Don’t miss these pertinent articles, appears in Vol. 13, Issue 3, 2008 edition of Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication.


Multimodal Computer-Mediated Communication and Social Support among Older Chinese Internet Users
By Bo Xie
Pages 728–750
College of Information Studies
University of Maryland

Abstract
Using the grounded theory approach, this ethnographic study examines the relationship between the use of three different modes of computer-mediated communication (CMC) and the types of social support exchanged within an online community of older Chinese (age 50 or older). The findings indicate that the voice chat room is best suited for companionship while the online forum is used primarily for informational support. The exchange of emotional and instrumental support is most likely to occur via instant messaging (IM). These findings suggest that each of these particular modes of CMC, due to its inherent features, may be specialized to sustain certain interactions and relationships.
Yet, because older Chinese in this study employ multiple modes of CMC to interact and develop relationships, the overall relationships developed through CMC are multidimensional.
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How do people really seek information about others?: Information seeking across Internet and traditional communication channels
By David Westerman
Pages 751–767

Abstract
The present research describes the manner in which individuals use various media in the interpersonal information seeking process. Stephens’ (2007) information and communication technology (ICT) succession theory was applied to an interpersonal information seeking context, and hypotheses and research questions about the channels people use to seek information about others of various relationship to the seeker were offered. Two hundred and twenty-five participants responded to a survey about this topic, and they reported a greater likelihood to seek information about less-known targets using channels where they would be unidentifiable. However, participants reported a greater likelihood to seek information about more-known targets using channels where they would be identifiable.
Channels such as social networking websites were frequently reported to be useful regardless of whether the target was well known or less known. Properties of these channels and their implications for interpersonal information seeking as well as theoretical implications of these findings are discussed and directions for future research are examined.
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Source: Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication