An exploration of group dynamics of an e-mail discussion list

<p>Discussion lists using electronic mail as the medium of communication allows for international groups to form without temporal or spatial constraints. The group process</p> <p>in large electronic based groups has not been fully explored. This study used a case study approach to explore the group dynamics of the NRSING-L list, a discussion list for professionals working in the area of health informatics. The communication posted to this list during the first 12 months of the list's existence was analysed. A modified version of Bales' Interactive Process Analysis framework was used to code the communication behaviour exhibited by the subscribers. The findings of this study supported the recurring -phase theories of group development, which propose group development occur in a cyclic pattern of behaviour with triggering factors causing the cyclic effect. In this study, the triggering factor causing a return to earlier behaviour was the entry of new active subscribers to the NRSING-L list.</p>