Open AccessEvaluative Feedback: Perspectives on Media Effects
Author(s) -
Watts Stephanie A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of computer‐mediated communication
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.15
H-Index - 119
ISSN - 1083-6101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00330.x
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , negative feedback , process (computing) , psychology , computer science , feedback regulation , corrective feedback , social psychology , cognitive psychology , artificial intelligence , mathematics education , engineering , voltage , electrical engineering , operating system
Computer‐mediated communication (CMC) makes it possible to deliver evaluative feedback, an essential component of learning, over distance. This article presents a theoretical model of the CMC‐based evaluative feedback process from the perspective of both senders and receivers of feedback. Hypotheses suggested by the model were tested in a quasi‐laboratory experiment with part‐time MBA students comparing email with voicemail. Within matched‐pair dyads, email senders, but not voicemail senders, viewed their negative feedback as being significantly more negative than did their receivers. Voicemail senders, but not email senders, reported significantly lower comfort levels than did their receivers. No feedback effectiveness differences were found between media conditions, although determinants of feedback effectiveness differed significantly depending on the medium. These results are generally consistent with the theoretical model.