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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

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