Methodological Issues in the Content Analysis of Computer Conference Transcripts

Abstract

Abstract. This paper discusses the potential and the methodological challenges of analyzing computer conference transcripts using quantitative content analysis. The paper is divided into six sections, which discuss: criteria for content analysis, research designs, types of content, units of analysis, ethical issues, and software to aid analysis. The discussion is supported with a survey of 19 commonly referenced studies published during the last decade. The paper is designed to assist researchers in using content analysis to further the understanding of teaching and learning using computer conferencing. SCENARIO Professor Jones has just completed her first university course delivered entirely on-line. The 13-week semester class has left Jones in a state of mild exhaustion. However, the course is finished, the marks have been assigned, and now, thinks Jones, time for some reflection, analysis and perhaps a publishable paper. Jones smiles, confident in the knowledge that the complete transcript of messages exchanged during the course has been captured in machine-readable format. She feels that this accessible data will confirm her hypothesis that students in the on-line