Writing Process Differences in Subgroups Reflected in Keystroke Logs. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Hongwen; Zhang, Mo; Deane, Paul; Bennett, Randy E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of educational and behavioral statistics. Volume 44:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 571
• Page End: 596
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: process data -- writing proficiency -- semi-Markov model; Educational statistics -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; 370.2
• DOI: 10.3102/1076998619856590
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-9986

Abstract

We used an unobtrusive approach, keystroke logging, to examine students' cognitive states during essay writing. Based on data contained in the logs, we classified writing process data into three states: text production, long pause, and editing. We used semi-Markov processes to model the sequences of writing states and compared the state transition time and probability for demographic subgroups that were matched on writing proficiency. Results suggested that the subgroups employed different processes in essay writing.