E-MAIL
(e.g., Gmail & Microsoft Outlook)

Advantages

Easily accessible

Low cost

Useful for exchanging routine information and brainstorming ideas

Disadvantages

Lacks nonverbal information

Less effective for conveying complex information

TELECONFERENCE
(e.g., conference calls & instant messaging)

Advantages

Easily accessible

Useful for exchanging routine information and increasingly complex information

Disadvantages

Lack of visual nonverbal information (i.e., facial expressions and gestures)

Difficult to maintain team members’ attention and engagement

VIDEOCONFERENCE
(e.g., Skype & Cisco WebEx)

Advantages

Provides access to verbal and nonverbal information

Useful for communicating complex information and decisions

Disadvantages

Requires all team members to have the same technology

Subject to technical diffi culties (user error or equipment failure)

PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS
(e.g., Google Docs & wikis)

Advantages

Low cost

Useful for compiling research findings and collaborating on reports

Disadvantages

Requires moderate training

Team members must continually check the site to contribute and view others’ contributions (Nunamaker, Reinig, & Briggs, 2009)