research-article

Context-linked virtual assistants for distributed teams: an astrophysics case study

Authors:

Rollin C. Thomas,

Cecilia R. Aragon,

Brian LeeAuthors Info & Claims

CSCW '08: Proceedings of the 2008 ACM conference on Computer supported cooperative work

Pages 361 - 370

https://doi.org/10.1145/1460563.1460623

Published: 08 November 2008 Publication History

Abstract

There is a growing need for distributed teams to analyze complex and dynamic data streams and make critical decisions under time pressure. Via a case study, we discuss potential guidelines for the design of software tools to facilitate such collaborative decision-making. We introduce the term context-linked to characterize systems where both task and context information are included in a shared space. We describe a novel, lightweight, context-linked event notification/virtual assistant system developed to aid a cross-cultural, geographically distributed team of astrophysicists to remotely maneuver a custom-built instrument under challenging operational conditions, where critical decisions must be made in as little as 45 seconds. The system has been in use since 2005 by a major international astrophysics collaboration. We describe the design and implementation of the event notification system and then present a case study, based on event log analysis and user interviews, of its effectiveness in substantially improving user performance during time-critical science tasks. Finally, we discuss the implications of context linking for supporting common ground in distributed teams.

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Cited By

Lee DLee JSiddiqui TKim JKarahalios KParameswaran A(2019)You can't always sketch what you want: Understanding Sensemaking in Visual Query SystemsIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics10.1109/TVCG.2019.2934666(1-1)Online publication date: 2019
https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2019.2934666
Ramakrishnan LGunter D(2017)Ten Principles for Creating Usable Software for Science2017 IEEE 13th International Conference on e-Science (e-Science)10.1109/eScience.2017.34(210-218)Online publication date: Oct-2017
https://doi.org/10.1109/eScience.2017.34
Tanweer AFiore-Gartland BAragon C(2016)Impediment to insight to innovation: understanding data assemblages through the breakdown–repair processInformation, Communication & Society10.1080/1369118X.2016.115312519:6(736-752)Online publication date: 10-Mar-2016
https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2016.1153125
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Index Terms

Context-linked virtual assistants for distributed teams: an astrophysics case study
1. Human-centered computing
  1. Collaborative and social computing
    1. Collaborative and social computing theory, concepts and paradigms
      1. Computer supported cooperative work
2. Social and professional topics
  1. Professional topics
    1. Computing and business
      1. Computer supported cooperative work

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cover image ACM Conferences

CSCW '08: Proceedings of the 2008 ACM conference on Computer supported cooperative work

November 2008

752 pages

ISBN:9781605580074

DOI:10.1145/1460563

General Chairs:
Bo Begole
PARC, USA
,
David W. McDonald
University of Washington, USA

Copyright © 2008 ACM.

Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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Published: 08 November 2008

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November 8 - 12, 2008

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Cited By

Lee DLee JSiddiqui TKim JKarahalios KParameswaran A(2019)You can't always sketch what you want: Understanding Sensemaking in Visual Query SystemsIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics10.1109/TVCG.2019.2934666(1-1)Online publication date: 2019
https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2019.2934666
Ramakrishnan LGunter D(2017)Ten Principles for Creating Usable Software for Science2017 IEEE 13th International Conference on e-Science (e-Science)10.1109/eScience.2017.34(210-218)Online publication date: Oct-2017
https://doi.org/10.1109/eScience.2017.34
Tanweer AFiore-Gartland BAragon C(2016)Impediment to insight to innovation: understanding data assemblages through the breakdown–repair processInformation, Communication & Society10.1080/1369118X.2016.115312519:6(736-752)Online publication date: 10-Mar-2016
https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2016.1153125
Perry DAragon CCruz SPeters MChowning JWilkins-Diehr N(2013)Human centered game design for bioinformatics and cyberinfrastructure learningProceedings of the Conference on Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment: Gateway to Discovery10.1145/2484762.2484833(1-8)Online publication date: 22-Jul-2013
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2484762.2484833
Brooks MKuksenok KTorkildson MPerry DRobinson JScott TAnicello OZukowski AHarris PAragon CBruckman ACounts SLampe CTerveen L(2013)Statistical affect detection in collaborative chatProceedings of the 2013 conference on Computer supported cooperative work10.1145/2441776.2441813(317-328)Online publication date: 23-Feb-2013
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2441776.2441813
Jirotka MLee COlson G(2013)Supporting Scientific CollaborationComputer Supported Cooperative Work10.1007/s10606-012-9184-022:4-6(667-715)Online publication date: 1-Aug-2013
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/s10606-012-9184-0
Poltrock SHandel MPoteet SMurray PPoltrock SSimone CGrudin JMark GRiedl J(2012)Recognizing team context during simulated missionsProceedings of the ACM 2012 conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work10.1145/2145204.2145235(197-206)Online publication date: 11-Feb-2012
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2145204.2145235
Aragon CWilliams ATan DFitzpatrick GGutwin CBegole BKellogg W(2011)Collaborative creativityProceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/1978942.1979214(1875-1884)Online publication date: 7-May-2011
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1978942.1979214
Aragon CPoon S(2011)No sense of distanceProceedings of the 2011 iConference10.1145/1940761.1940783(159-165)Online publication date: 8-Feb-2011
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1940761.1940783
Bietz MBaumer ELee C(2010)Synergizing in Cyberinfrastructure DevelopmentComputer Supported Cooperative Work10.1007/s10606-010-9114-y19:3-4(245-281)Online publication date: 1-Aug-2010
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1007/s10606-010-9114-y
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