Pathways to Success of Digital Collaboration: A Network Perspective on Peer Interaction in Computer-Based Collaborative Problem Solving

Social collaboration in the digital age is undergoing profound transformations, as online platforms and digital tools are reshaping their forms and underlying mechanisms. Successful digital collaboration relies heavily on peer interaction, yet research on how such interactions facilitate effective problem solving remains insufficient. This study used network analysis to investigate behavioral patterns in computer-based problem solving, thereby addressing this gap. The study analyzed behavioral data from student dyads in an online CPS assessment, constructing interaction networks from coded behavioral sequences. Results revealed three key findings: (1) Groups differed significantly in use of key collaborative behavioral patterns; (2) The networks displayed an interdependent system, with Systematicity as central hubs and Conversational Interaction as crucial bridges between partners, indicating functional complementarity; (3) Successful dyads exhibited stronger, more efficient interaction pathways. Overall, collaborative success depends on peer interdependence, particularly cognitive systematicity, complementary contributions and efficient interaction, offering insights for designing computer-supported collaboration tasks.