Editor's Introductory Comments
by Joseph B. WaltherWalther, J. B. (2000). Editor's introductory comments. Journal of Online Behavior, 1 (1). Retrieved <date> from the World Wide Web: http://www.behavior.net/JOB/v1n1/edcomments.html
The first issue of the Journal of Online Behavior has been a long time in the making. It is always a risky venture starting a new journal, and this is especially true as the number of new journals, and new modes for dissemination of old journals, increases so dramatically. And it seems that almost no scholarly field's publications have not concerned themselves with online behavior, in one form or another, in recent years. We are at a competitive disadvantage, so to speak, in breaking into the intellectual marketplace. We have given ourselves no particular advantage in getting to press, either, due to decisions we have made about the format, focus, and quality of the Journal. These decisions included, first, to focus on empirically-based research, advancing theory through measured results about virtual actions and interactions. Second, we have committed to maintaining open submissions, rather than special issues on particular topical foci with guest editors. While flexibility in either of these standards might expedite the submissions and publication of interesting contributions, there are already strong publications, in similar domains that vary with respect to these criteria and duplication is unwarranted. Moreover, by maintaining independent, blind review, we feel, the highest standards for consistent quality will ultimately be less vulnerable. So the Journal has been quite a while in coming, and we have been patient, as have the 300-plus of you who have subscribed to our announcement list, for we thought it was a worthy venture, and worth the risk.Another risk-taker is the author of our first publication, Dr. Sonja Utz. Utz's work, as you will see, examines in significant detail some of the micro-processes underlying the formation of relationships during real-time online interaction. While the Social Information Processing perspective, which figures prominently in her article, has received some measure of attention, up to now and with few exceptions it has not been challenged empirically for extensions or modifications, by other than its originator. Utz's research scrutinizes two critical assumptions of the theory, supporting one and adding variability to another: The assumption about the substitutability of verbal for nonverbal expressions of affect has been a cornerstone the theory, distinguishing it from previous work, and is now shown to be operative in relationship development. At the same time, the assumption that antecedent motivations affect CMC users in rather uniform ways is challenged and modified by Utz's concentration on personality, attitudinal, and goal-related factors affecting propensity for relationship development online. Such challenges are critical for the vitality of a theory, and the level of detail with which Utz approaches this task offers one admirable approach to the conduct of research into online behavior.
On a personal note, it is flattering, but by no stretch of the imagination a requirement, that our premiere issue focuses on a theory rather close to home for the editor. Indeed, our desire to maintain open submissions and broad topical foci make this, in one sense, and awkward coincidence. Yet the quality of the work, as our editorial board members attested, spoke strongly to publish, and as you will see, its value speaks for itself.
Please continue to send us your best research on online behavior, and watch for announcements of future publications by subscribing to our announcement list.
Joseph B. Walther, Editor
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, New York, USA
Jobeditor@behavior.net
In citing this document please use the following style:Walther, J. B. (2000). Editor's introductory comments. Journal of Online Behavior, 1 (1). Retrieved <date> from the World Wide Web: /JOB/v1n1/edcomments.html
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