Wikum+: integrating discussion and summarization in collaborative writing
Name
1193030868-MIT.pdf
Size
3.97 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
c3adabc17906e172b36f19a4d2dc9e25
Author(s)
Tian, Sunny(Sunny Y.)
Advisor(s)
David R. Karger.
Alternative Title
Integrating discussion and summarization in collaborative writing
Date Issued
2020
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
In many instances of collaborative writing, ideation and deliberation about what to write happen in a separate space from the actual document writing. However, having discussion and writing separated may result in a final document that has little connection to the discussion that came before. Furthermore, online users often rely on filtering, voting, and moderation to manage lengthy conversations. In this work, I build upon a hybrid discussion and document-writing tool called Wikum+ to allow groups to mix having discussions and summarizing those discussions in real-time, until the process results in a final document that incorporates and links all discussion points. The system uses collaborative summarization interchanged with deliberation to synthesize the conversation into a meaningful artifact, that can be iterated and improved upon. I conducted a within-subjects user study of 6 small groups where each group used both Wikum+ and a control of Google Docs and a messaging app to collaboratively write proposals. I also conducted a between-subjects user study of 2 larger groups, with the control given only a Google Doc. From analyzing survey and interview results, I found evidence that Wikum+'s integration of discussion and summarization helped users be more organized as well as more inclusive of ideas, leading to a more comprehensive final document. Compared to a control, Wikum+ also allowed for more light-weight coordination and iterative improvements through the incorporation of new ideas.
Description
Thesis: M. Eng., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, May, 2020
Cataloged from the official PDF of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 79-82).
Subjects
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Terms of Use
MIT theses may be protected by copyright. Please reuse MIT thesis content according to the MIT Libraries Permissions Policy, which is available through the URL provided.
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