Validating a Collaborative Writing Competence Framework for EFL Instruction: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29408/veles.v9i1.29142Keywords:
collaborative writing competence framework, EFL, assessment framework, writing skillsAbstract
Collaborative writing is widely recognized for its benefits in enhancing linguistic competence, critical thinking, and social interaction in EFL contexts. Despite numerous studies highlighting these advantages, a gap remains in how collaborative writing competence can be systematically assessed and practically applied in classroom settings. This study aims to empirically validate a Collaborative Writing Competence Framework (CWCF) comprising five key dimensions: communication, coordination, creativity, responsibility, and reflection. A quantitative research design involved 103 Indonesian undergraduate EFL students enrolled in an Essay Writing course. Data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The model demonstrated a good fit (χ² = 86.528, df = 81, p = .317; CMIN/DF = 1.068; RMSEA = 0.026; CFI = 0.992), with acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.719–0.807) and convergent validity (AVE = 0.501–0.673). Creativity emerged as the most influential factor in collaborative writing competence. The validated CWCF offers actionable insights for EFL instruction: structured peer discussions, guided brainstorming, and task delegation can enhance collaboration, while integrating self- and peer-assessment fosters responsibility and reflection. Digital platforms such as Google Docs may also support real-time coordination and feedback. The CWCF thus serves as both an assessment instrument and pedagogical tool, paving the way for more effective collaborative writing practices in EFL classrooms.
References
Abrams, Z. I. (2019). Collaborative writing and text quality in Google Docs. Language Learning & Technology, 23(2), 22–42.
Ajmi, A. a. S. A., & Ali, H. I. H. (2014). Collaborative writing in group assignments in an EFL/ESL classroom. English Linguistics Research, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.5430/elr.v3n2p1
Albesher, K. B. (2024). The effect of Google-Mediated collaborative writing on students’ global and local writing features in English as a second language. SAGE Open, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241290034
Alzubi, A. A., Nazim, M., & Ahamad, J. (2024). Examining the effect of a collaborative learning intervention on EFL students' English learning and social interaction. Journal of Pedagogical Research. https://doi.org/10.33902/jpr.202425541
Anggraini, R., Rozimela, Y., & Anwar, D. (2020). The effects of collaborative writing on EFL learners’ writing skills and their perception of the strategy. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 11(2), 335. https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1102.25
Anshu, A. H., & Yesuf, M. Y. (2022). Effects of Collaborative Writing on EFL Students’ paragraph writing performance: Focus on content and coherence. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 10(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.10n.1p.36
Azevedo, R., Behnagh, R. F., Duffy, M., Harley, J. M., & Trevors, G. (2012). Metacognition and self-regulated learning in student-centered learning environments. In: Land, S., & Jonassen, D. (Eds), Theoretical foundations of learning environments (pp. 171–197). Routledge.
Biria, R., & Jafari, S. (2013). The impact of collaborative writing on the writing fluency of Iranian EFL learners. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.4304/jltr.4.1.164-175
Challob, A. I., Bakar, N. A., & Latif, H. (2016). Collaborative Blended Learning writing Environment: Effects on EFL students’ writing apprehension and writing performance. English Language Teaching, 9(6), 229. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v9n6p229
Chen, W. (2019). An exploratory study on the role of L2 collaborative writing on learners’ subsequent individually composed texts. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 28(6), 563–573. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-019-00455-3
Chen, W., & Lee, Y. (2022). Revisiting proficiency pairing in collaborative Writing from an equity Theory perspective: Voices from High-Proficiency EFL Learners. SAGE Open, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221087267
Cheung, G. W., Cooper-Thomas, H. D., Lau, R. S., & Wang, L. C. (2023). Reporting reliability, convergent and discriminant validity with structural equation modeling: A review and best-practice recommendations. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 41(2), 745–783. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-023-09871-y
Clayson, A. (2018). Distributed cognition and embodiment in text planning: A situated study of collaborative writing in the workplace. Written Communication, 35(2), 155–181. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741088317753348
Coffin, P. (2020). Implementing collaborative writing in EFL classrooms: Teachers and students’ perspectives. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 13(1), 178–194.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
DeVellis, R. F. (2017). Scale development: Theory and applications (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Dillenbourg P. (1999). What do you mean by collaborative learning? In P. Dillenbourg (Ed.), Collaborative-learning: Cognitive and computational approaches (pp. 1-19). Oxford: Elsevier.
Dobao, A. F. (2012). Collaborative writing tasks in the L2 classroom: Comparing group, pair, and individual work. Journal of Second Language Writing, 21(1), 40–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2011.12.002
Donato, R. (1994). Collective scaffolding in second language learning. In J. P. Lantolf & G. Appel (Eds.), Vygotskian approaches to second language research (pp. 33–56). New Jersey: Ablex.
Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (2019). How to design and evaluate research in education (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Fung, N. Y. M. (2010). Collaborative writing features. RELC Journal, 41(1), 18–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033688210362610
Gillies, R. M. (2007). Cooperative learning: Integrating theory and practice. SAGE.
Ginting, D. (2021). Student engagement and factors affecting active learning in English language teaching. Voices of English Language Education Society, 5(2), 215–228. https://doi.org/10.29408/veles.v5i2.3968
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2019). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling a Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118
Huang, X., & Lajoie, S. P. (2023). Social emotional interaction in collaborative learning: Why it matters and how we can measure it? Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 7(1), 100447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100447
Haynes, S. N., Richard, D. C. S., & Kubany, E. S. (1995). Content validity in psychological assessment: A functional approach to concepts and methods. Psychological Assessment, 7(3), 238–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.7.3.238
Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2009). An educational psychology success story: Social interdependence theory and cooperative learning. Educational Researcher, 38(5), 365–379. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X09339057
Kline, R. B. (2016). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (4th ed.). Guilford Press.
Kretschmer T., Vanneste B. S. (2017). Collaboration in strategic alliances: Cooperation and coordination. In Mesquita L., Ragozzino R., Reuer J. (Eds.), Collaborative strategy: A guide to strategic alliances: 53-62. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Li, M., & Zhang, M. (2021). Collaborative writing in L2 classrooms: A research agenda. Language Teaching, 56(1), 94–112. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0261444821000318
Marttunen, M., & Laurinen, L. (2012). Participant profiles during collaborative writing. Journal of Writing Research, 4(1), 53–79. https://doi.org/10.17239/jowr-2012.04.01.3
McDonough, K., De Vleeschauwer, J., & Crawford, W. (2018). Comparing the quality of collaborative writing, collaborative prewriting, and individual texts in a Thai EFL context. System, 74, 109–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2018.02.010
Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Paulus, P. B., Dzindolet, M., & Kohn, N. W. (2012). Collaborative creativity—group creativity and team innovation. In M. Mumford (Ed.), Handbook of organizational creativity (pp. 327- 357). London, UK: Elsevier.
Pham, V. P. H. (2021). The effects of collaborative writing on students’ writing fluency: An efficient framework for collaborative writing. SAGE Open, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244021998363
Pourdana, N. (2022). Impacts of computer-assisted diagnostic assessment on the sustainability of L2 learners’ collaborative writing improvement and engagement modes. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-022-00139-4
Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Approaches and methods in language teaching. Cambridge University Press.
Rojas-Drummond, S. M., Littleton, K., Hernández, F., & Zúñiga, M. (2010). Dialogical interactions among peers in collaborative writing contexts. In C. Howe & K. Littleton (Eds.), Educational dialogues: Understanding and promoting productive interaction (pp. 128–148). London: Routledge.
Shemwell, J. T., Chase, C. C., & Schwartz, D. L. (2014). Seeking the general explanation: A test of inductive activities for learning and transfer. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 52(1), 58–83. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21185
Storch, N. (2018). Collaborative writing. Language Teaching, 52(1), 40–59. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0261444818000320
Taber, K. S. (2017). The use of Cronbach’s Alpha when developing and reporting research instruments in science education. Research in Science Education, 48(6), 1273–1296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-016-9602-2
Tavakoli, M., & Rezazadeh, M. (2014). Individual and collaborative planning conditions affect fluency, complexity, and accuracy in L2 Argumentative writing. Journal of Teaching Language Skills, 32(4), 85–110. https://doi.org/10.22099/jtls.2014.1857
Teng, M. F., & Huang, J. (2021). The effects of incorporating metacognitive strategies instruction into collaborative writing on writing complexity, accuracy, and fluency. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 43(4), 1071–1090. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2021.1982675
Vasylets, O., Gilabert, R., & Manchón, R. M. (2017). The effects of mode and task complexity on second language production. Language Learning, 67(2), 394–430. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12228
Villarreal, I., & Gil-Sarratea, N. (2019). The effect of collaborative writing in an EFL secondary setting. Language Teaching Research, 24(6), 874–897. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168819829017
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press
Wigglesworth, G., & Storch, N. (2012). What role does collaboration play in writing and writing feedback? Journal of Second Language Writing, 21(4), 364–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2012.09.005
Winarti, N., & Cahyono, B. Y. (2020). Collaborative writing and process writing approach: The effect and students' perception. JEES (Journal of English Educators Society), 5(2). https://doi.org/10.21070/jees.v5i2.773
Yadollahi, H., & Rahimi, A. (2015). The effects of different task types on learners’ performance in the collaborative virtual learning environment. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 192, 526–533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.083
Zhang, M. (2018). Collaborative writing in the EFL classroom: The effects of L1 and L2 use. System, 76, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2018.04.009
Zimmerman, B. J. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory Into Practice, 41(2), 64–70. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15430421tip4102_2
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mujiono, Riza Weganofa, Siane Herawati, Rizky Lutviana

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with the VELES Journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
VELES Journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.