Perspective: group cognition factors in sociotechnical systems

This commentary on the special issue suggests a focus on group cognition factors in investigations of teamwork involving sociotechnical systems. The author has conducted research in computer-supported collaborative learning and has found the need to rethink the theory and methodology of that field to take account of its defining characteristics of small-group interaction and sociotechnical mediation. A brief literature review is undertaken of major findings in postcognitive theory and conversation analysis. This suggests a methodological priority to group phenomena as sources for the genesis of individual phenomena and for understanding of processes of coordination and communication in small groups. It is seen that many recent studies of teams take place within traditional disciplinary frameworks that analyze phenomena primarily at the individual unit of analysis, reducing group phenomena to additive sums of individual phenomena. For instance, processes of coordination and communication are treated as secondary to the expression of individuals' mental models or external expressions of internal representations. The commentary calls for development of a new science of groups, with the development of appropriate theory, conceptualizations of core phenomena, experimental methods, analytic analyses, and presentational formats. Examples are focus on discourse analysis, use of design-based research, conceptualization of mediation rather than causation, and publication of case studies. A focus on the group unit of analysis can shed new light on the topics addressed in this special issue.