Methodological paradigms in interaction research

Abstract

Interaction researchers often tend to identify themselves and others with the methods they are using, rather than with the topic they are studying. I survey a number of commonly used research methods in human interaction research, and indicate some of their strengths, weaknesses, and relative advantages. I will argue that human interaction is a topic of such massive complexity that it will require not only a multidisciplinary approach, but also, and more importantly, a multimethodological approach. This requires open-mindedness about the use of methods that we happen not to be familiar with. I argue that combining different qualitative and quantitative methods to address similar and converging research questions is essential for gaining progress in the complex field of human interaction.