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Keep It Short, Make It Instant

June 9, 2008
by Dan Mitchell
Columnist, The New York Times

Dan Mitchell

Some of us find those bouncing or flashing icons on computer screen to be disruptive and distracting. But apparently, many workers believe instant messaging causes less interruption than other forms of communication like phone calls, e-mail and talking face to face.

Instant messaging means an increase in the number of conversations, but those conversations tend to be shorter, said R. Kelly Garrett, an assistant professor of communication at Ohio State and a co-author of a study conducted by Ohio State University and the University of California. The study was published by The Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication (jcmc.indiana.edu).

“The key takeaway is that instant messaging has some benefits where many people had feared that it might be harmful,” Mr. Garrett told ScienceDaily.com.

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