The topic of inquiry is explored in an online freshman level introductory biology course for non-majors. The research took place in a distance learning program at a small community college in the Southeast. Students in the course were required to complete an extended guided inquiry in their homes and to communicate about their work by way of the class discussion board. Extensive social collaboration among the members of the class is documented. The students' work is analyzed qualitatively in terms of their research questions, hypotheses and process skills. A consideration of how the students evaluated the scientific validity of their own work is included. (Contains 1 figure and 6 tables.)