ATTRIBUTION ACCURACY WHEN USING ANONYMITY IN GROUP SUPPORT SYSTEMS

This study explores the taken-for-granted assumption that ''anonymous' ' comments posted on a group support system (GSS) are socially as well as technically anonymous. It analyses the accuracy of, and influences on, attributions of authors' identities in seven field groups with co nsiderable work history after they used the system to enter technicall y anonymous comments about salient topics during a brainstorming sessi on. GSS participants made attributions about authors' identities, but overall these attributions were about 12% accurate (ranging from 1 to 29%). The expected predictors of accuracy (an individual's total commu nication with the group, network centrality, and length of membership in the group) were inconsistent influences across the seven groups. (C ) 1997 Academic Press Limited.