Research
My research has explored collaborations at the pair, group, and organizational levels. By understanding how collaborations take place, I hope to shed light on how technology can influence the success of the collaborations. My current research focuses on understanding the underlying processes of collaborative work, such as sharing information and decision making, and the impact of computer-mediated communication on the success of the collaboration.
Investigating the Effects of Visualizations in Remote Collaborative Analysis
Increasingly, collaborators are separated geographically and are faced with large quantities of information. In such situations, they must develop effective problem solving strategies, such as a division of labor and open communication. Information visualizations can help individuals and collaborators sort through large quantities of data but this improvement may depend on whether visualizations promote effective problem solving behaviors. In two previous studies, I explored the impact of network visualizations on collaborative problem solving. In a detective mystery experimental paradigm, remote pairs worked synchronously via instant messenger to identify a serial killer hidden within multiple crime reports. My first two studies suggest that visualization tools might prompt collaborations to be more systematic but this depends on collaborators using the visualization, finding relevant patterns, and ultimately using these findings to direct their analysis process. I propose a third new laboratory study that explores whether inducing pairs to create strategies that incorporate visualization use can lead pairs to collaborative success. The results of this work will help determine if visualizations can encourage collaborators to adopt systematic collaborative problem solving behaviors.
Pitfalls of Information Access with Visualizations in Remote Collaborative Analysis, Aruna D. Balakrishnan, Susan R. Fussell, Sara Kiesler, Aniket Kittur. In Proc ACM Computer Supported Collaborative Work, Feb 2010. [Download] [Link]
Do visualizations improve synchronous remote collaboration? Aruna D. Balakrishnan, Susan R. Fussell, Sara Kiesler. In Proc ACM Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), Apr 2008. [Download] [Link]
Understanding Productive Climates for Virtual Research Collaborations
What makes some collaborations more successful than others? This research seeks to identify institutional environment factors that influence successful research collaborations, specifically collaborations that span multiple institutions and cross multiple disciplines. The first phase, currently in progress, is to conduct interviews in a subset of the sample of KDI and ITR projects that were supported by the National Science Foundation. These interviews will be used to identify dimensions of productive climate and institutional factors that lead scientists to perceive the climate as productive or not.
What's in a move? Normal disruption and a design challenge. Reza Zadeh, Aruna D. Balakrishnan, Sara Kiesler, Jonathon N. Cummings. To appear in ACM Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), May 2011. [Download]
Research Team Integration: What it is and why it matters. Aruna D. Balakrishnan, Sara Kiesler, Jonathon N. Cummings, Reza Zadeh. To appear in ACM Computer Supported Collaborative Work, Mar 2011. [Download]
Understanding the Role of Technology for Business Analysts
With the proliferation of web 2.0 tools, how do real workers decide which tool to use and for which purpose? I conducted a series of interviews and observations of business analysts at a large, global company to understand the role of technology for business analysts. Preliminary findings suggest a need for better integration between a variety of tools, enhanced search capabilities of desktop and online resources, and mechanisms to leverage existing institutional knowledge.
Fitting an Activity-Centric System into an Ecology of Workplace Tools. Aruna D. Balakrishnan, Tara Matthews, Thomas P. Moran. In Proc ACM Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), Apr 2010. [Download] [Link]
Imagery and Risk Perceptions
Can realistic imagery of natural disasters compel individuals at risk to take proper precautions? This research addresses factors that influence risk perceptions, and particularly the manner in which depictions of disaster through both official and unofficial channels of communication affect risk perceptions and decisions. I am conducting a national survey funded by the National Science Foundation TESS program to explore how photographic images of disasters are particularly important in changing risk perceptions of those who live in areas likely to be hit by those disasters.
Persuasive Technology for Environmental Sustainability
With the impact of unsustainable practices on the planet becoming increasingly apparent, can user interface design encourage sustainable decisions? Consumers make choices daily that shape commerce and industry away from or towards sustainable practices. The goal of this project is to examine design factors in technology made to persuade people to make choices that support environmental sustainability. The research apparatus is a web site for finding cooking recipes.
Fishing for Sustainability: The Effects of Indirect and Direct Persuasion. Turadg Aleahmad, Aruna D. Balakrishnan, Jeffrey Wong, Susan R. Fussell, Sara Kiesler. In ACM Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) Extended Abstracts, Apr 2008. [Download] [Link]