An interactive knowledge-based system for group problem solving

Abshsrrucf -A distributed system is described for human-computer interaction based on a network of computers. It aids group problem solving by enabling the participants to share in a construct elicitation process based on repertory grid techniques. Since their development in the context of clinical psychology, these techniques have found a wide range of applications in education, management, and expert systems development. A similar rationale applies: in education the learner is attempting to acquire a specific construct system for the subject matter; in management people with different construct systems are attempting to work together towards common objectives; in expert systems development the knowledge engineer is attempting to make overt and encode the relevant construction system of an expert. The participant construct system described enables a number of individuals to interact through networked personal computers to develop mutual understanding of a problem domain through the use of repertory grid techniques.