Awareness Mechanisms for Web-Based Argumentative Collaboration

Abstract

Much research has been performed on how computer-based technologies might facilitate awareness among cooperating actors. However, existing approaches in providing awareness services prove to be inadequate in data-intensive instances of argumentative collaboration. Moreover, they fail to address the needs of dynamic, Web-based communities. In this context, this article presents a list of awareness mechanisms that have been integrated in an innovative Web-based collaboration support tool, where the ultimate aim is to satisfy the requirements associated with the above remarks. The proposed mechanisms are described and elaborated with respect to variousawareness types reported in the literature.