Beyond Co-Regulation: Interplay as a Methodological Framework for Examining Self-Regulation in Generative AI-Assisted Writing

Ryan Roderick; Susan Tanner

doi:10.1177/07410883261440232

Written Communication May 2026

Beyond Co-Regulation: Interplay as a Methodological Framework for Examining Self-Regulation in Generative AI-Assisted Writing

Ryan Roderick ; Susan Tanner

Abstract

As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools become embedded in writing practices, researchers must refine methodologies for studying self-regulation in AI-assisted composition. While sociocognitive and co-regulation frameworks have effectively captured self-regulatory processes in human collaboration, they are insufficient for understanding how writers manage the dynamic and probabilistic nature of AI-generated text. This article introduces interplay as a methodological framework to analyze the recursive process of initiating, responding, adapting, and revising in human–AI writing interactions. Unlike co-regulation, where collaborators share communicative intent, interplay highlights the writer’s active role in interpreting and steering AI-generated content. Drawing on self-regulation theory, we propose an analytical framework that integrates traditional self-regulation categories (goal-setting, monitoring, and reflection) with interplay-specific coding (initiation, evaluation, acceptance, and adaptation). Through case analyses of human–AI writing exchanges, we demonstrate how interplay provides a systematic approach to studying agency, decision making, and regulatory strategies in AI-assisted writing. We argue that recognizing interplay as a distinct dimension of self-regulation advances both empirical research and pedagogical approaches to AI-mediated composition.

Journal: Written Communication
Published: 2026-05-19
DOI: 10.1177/07410883261440232
CompPile: Search in CompPile ↗
Topics: writing pedagogy collaborative writing assessment empirical research artificial intelligence
Export: BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Citation data not yet available for this article.

Beyond Co-Regulation: Interplay as a Methodological Framework for Examining Self-Regulation in Generative AI-Assisted Writing

Abstract

Citation Context

Related Articles