Collective induction is the cooperative search for descriptive, predictive, and explanatory generalizations, rules, and principles. Research with cooperative 4-person groups using face-to-face communication indicates that the groups are remarkably able to recognize correct hypotheses if proposed by a group member, but rarely form correct emergent group hypotheses unless proposed by a group member. Increasing information increases the number of correct hypotheses, but also increases the number of incorrect group hypotheses. The research will compare face-to-face versus computer-mediated communication under three conditions that are predicted to raise computer-mediated collective induction to or beyond the levels reached in face-to- face communication. The research should help to realize the potential of computer-mediated communication by allowing effective collective induction by any group of dispersed members.
