The temporal distribution of cognitive writing processes and its interaction with task complexity during computer-assisted collaborative writing

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This study examined how timing influences writing behaviors and associated cognitive activities in second language users during computer-assisted collaborative writing and whether task complexity mediates this relationship. The study involved 56 Chinese participants with English proficiency levels at CEFR B2 and C1. They were randomly arranged into 28 pairs. Each pair completed two counterbalanced writing tasks in a reading-to-write format, differing in cognitive complexity. The simple task version involved summarizing a single text, whereas the complex task version required writing a summary of three texts. Keystroke logging software tracked the participants’ typing behaviors during the tasks. In addition, eight pairs were selected through stratified sampling for stimulated recall interviews immediately after completing the second task. Analyses using linear mixed-effects models revealed significant time effects on the duration and frequency of within-word pauses and revisions at various levels, as well as two interaction effects between time and task complexity for between-subsentence pause length and between-sentence pause frequency. These results, together with stimulated recall comments, highlight the dynamic interplay between time- and task-related factors during the collaborative writing process.