The meaning of an online health community in the lives of its members: roles, relationships and group dynamics

Abstract

This research is concerned with understanding the role a long established and thriving health bulletin board plays in the lives of its members; the impact of usability and sociability issues on group process, and the membership roles, patterns of social interaction, and group dynamics exhibited in the community. An ethnographic research approach is taken in this study in combination with social network analysis, and Interaction Process Analysis. The paper describes the rational for this research approach and some preliminary findings. It appears that community members have created a mental model of the groups' dynamics that serves as the basis for their attraction and commitment to the community.