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Discourse & Communication, Vol. 3, No. 2, 195-216 (2009) DOI: 10.1177/1750481309102452 Coherence in political computer-mediated communication: analyzing topic relevance and drift in chat Jennifer Stromer-Galley UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY,SUNY,USA, jstromer@albany.edu Anna M. Martinson INDIANA UNIVERSITY, USA, anna.m.martinson@gmail.com There is a general perception that synchronous, online chat about politics is fragmented, incoherent, and rife with ad hominem attacks because of its channel characteristics. This study aims to better understand the relative impact of channel of communication versus topic of communication by comparing chat about four different topics. Discourse analysis and coding for topic drift were applied to two hours of chat devoted to the topics of politics, auto racing, entertainment, and cancer support. Findings demonstrate that topic may have an effect on the coherence of chat, with discussion in the politics chat room surprisingly being more coherent than in the other rooms. This research suggests that users can sustain relatively coherent interaction on political talk, suggesting chat technology may not be an inherently problematic medium for political discourse. Key Words: CMC * coherence * dynamic topic analysis * online discussion * political chat * topic

Is There Social Capital in a Social Network Site?: Facebook Use and College Students' Life Satisfaction, Trust, and Participation1 Sebastián Valenzuela 1 Namsu Park 1 Kerk F. Kee 1 1 University of Texas at Austin 1 Earlier versions of this study were presented at the 2008 International Symposium on Online Journalism and the 2008 APSA Preconference on Political Communication. For intellectual and financial support on this research, we thank Sharon Strover. Helpful comments at various stages were provided by Jeff Gulati and Talia Stroud. Corresponding author: Sebastián Valenzuela [sebastianvalenzuela@mail.utexas.edu] ABSTRACT This study examines if Facebook, one of the most popular social network sites among college students in the U.S., is related to attitudes and behaviors that enhance individuals' social capital. Using data from a random web survey of college students across Texas (n = 2,603), we find positive relationships between intensity of Facebook use and students' life satisfaction, social trust, civic engagement, and political participation. While these findings should ease the concerns of those who fear that Facebook has mostly negative effects on young adults, the positive and significant associations between Facebook variables and social capital were small, suggesting that online social networks are not the most effective solution for youth disengagement from civic duty and democracy.

New issue of Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 14.2

Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication Volume 14, Issue 2, 2009. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122295220/issue Copyright © 2009 International Communication Association --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pages: 221-243 The (Potential) Benefits of Campaigning via Social Network Sites Sonja Utz http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122295230/abstract Published Online: 30 Mar 2009 Pages: 244-264 U.S. College Students' Internet Use: Race, Gender and Digital Divides Steve Jones, Camille Johnson-Yale, Sarah Millermaier, Francisco Seoane Pérez http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122295227/abstract Published Online: 30 Mar 2009 Pages: 265-285 Echo chambers online?: Politically motivated selective exposure among Internet news users1 R. Kelly Garrett http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122295221/abstract Published Online: 30 Mar 2009 Pages: 286-306 Third-Person Perceptions and Online Games: A Comparison of Perceived Antisocial and Prosocial Game Effects Zhi-Jin Zhong http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122295228/abstract Published Online: 30 Mar 2009 Pages: 307-327 Deterrence Effect of Four Legal and Extralegal Factors on Online Copyright Infringement Xigen Li, Nico Nergadze http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122295225/abstract Published Online: 30 Mar 2009 Pages: 328-351 Understanding User Resistance to Participation in Multihop Communications Yoolee Kang, Seongcheol Kim http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122295223/abstract Published Online: 30 Mar 2009 Pages: 352-367 Disentangling the Effects of Social Network Density on Electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM) Intention Dongyoung Sohn http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122295222/abstract Published Online: 30 Mar 2009 Pages: 368-392 Computer-Mediated Word-of-Mouth Communication on RateMyProfessors.com: Expectancy Effects on Student Cognitive and Behavioral Learning Autumn Edwards, Chad Edwards, Carrie Shaver, Mark Oa