Methodological paradigms in interaction research
-
Jan de Ruiter
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. 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.
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. 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.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Introduction 1
- Methodological paradigms in interaction research 11
- A multidimensional activity based approach to communication 33
- On making syntax dynamic 57
- Automatic and strategic alignment of co-verbal gestures in dialogue 87
- Interaction phonology – A temporal co-ordination component enabling representational alignment within a model of communication 109
- Communication as moving target tracking 133
- Language variation and mutual adaptation in interactive communication 149
- “The hand is no banana!” On communicating natural kind terms to a robot 167
- Interactive alignment and prediction in dialogue 193
- What is the link between emotional and communicative alignment in interaction? 205
- Index 225
- Contributors 229
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Introduction 1
- Methodological paradigms in interaction research 11
- A multidimensional activity based approach to communication 33
- On making syntax dynamic 57
- Automatic and strategic alignment of co-verbal gestures in dialogue 87
- Interaction phonology – A temporal co-ordination component enabling representational alignment within a model of communication 109
- Communication as moving target tracking 133
- Language variation and mutual adaptation in interactive communication 149
- “The hand is no banana!” On communicating natural kind terms to a robot 167
- Interactive alignment and prediction in dialogue 193
- What is the link between emotional and communicative alignment in interaction? 205
- Index 225
- Contributors 229
