The Role of Virtual Technologies in Creating New Forms of Knowledge
New forms of Computer Mediated Communications (CMCs) have the potential to change how we, create knowledge, research and collaborate. However, technological infrastructure in itself will not generate a knowledge economy and society, it is how we use it that is crucial (Binde, 2005). Furthermore, global communication enabled by the technology poses challenges to existing social scientific methods of inquiry (Zsuzsa & Sean, 2002).
The project will explore new research methods and contribute to the development of computer based analytic tools enabling the investigation of procesess of knowledge creation mediated by new and enhanced forms of computer mediated distribution systems such Access Grid and the new high speed internet connectivity (KAREN) recently introduced in the New Zealand research arena.
Professor David Thorns
Dr Mary Allan
Social science Research Centre
University of Canterbury