Title page for ETD etd-04102004-214127

Type of Document

Dissertation

Author

Tomasello, Tami Kim

URN

etd-04102004-214127

Title

A Content Analysis of Citations to J. C. R. Licklider's "Man-Computer Symbiosis," 1960-2001: Diffusing the Intergalactic Network

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Communication, Department of

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Stephen D. McDowell	Committee Chair
Andrew R. Opel	Committee Member
Charles R. McClure	Committee Member
Gary R. Heald	Committee Member
Philip J. Grise	Committee Member

Keywords

Diffusion Of Innovations
Agenda-Setting
Academic Publishing
Licklider
Man-Computer Symbiosis
Internet
Content Analysis
Citation Analysis

Date of Defense

2004-03-15

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

In 1960, J. C. R. Licklider, a well respected academician and professional, published an article entitled, "Man-Computer Symbiosis," in the fledgling research journal, the IRE (Institute of Radio Engineers) Transactions on Human Factors in Electronics. Reflecting back on its publication, Internet historians and Internet pioneers consistently cite the influential nature of the article in predicting the Internet's development. Using diffusion of innovations and the agenda-setting function as the theoretical framework, this study examines the influence network produced by a set of articles that cite Licklider from 1960-2001. The purpose of the study is to investigate the spread and influence of the ideas expressed in "Man-Computer Symbiosis" among published citing works in order to clarify our understanding about the article's contributions. Diffusion of innovations assists in explaining the spread of Licklider's ideas among citing authors. Agenda-setting offers insight into the events in Licklider's career that positioned him to publish "Man-Computer Symbiosis" while also identifying the salience of particular ideas over others in citing authors' works.

Citation analysis and quantitative content analysis are combined to produce the data set. Citation analysis identifies the influence network for "Man-Computer Symbiosis," as represented by a set of citing authors. Quantitative content analysis examines the appearance of Licklider's ideas within the article citations. Study results indicate that of the 110 citing articles examined, the idea for symbiosis was most frequently cited. In general, the hierarchy of ideas presented in "Man-Computer Symbiosis" was reflected overall in the citing authors' hierarchy. The majority of citing authors were academicians affiliated with top-tier institutions who published in well-respected science/technology outlets. Citations to "Man-Computer Symbiosis" have remained relatively stable during a 40-year period, and the article continues to diffuse slowly but steadily among the research community.

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