Ways of Knowing in HCI

This textbook brings together both new and traditional research methods in Human Computer Interaction (HCI). Research methods include interviews and observations, ethnography, grounded theory and analysis of digital traces of behavior. Readers will gain an understanding of the type of knowledge each method provides, its disciplinary roots and how each contributes to understanding users, user behavior and the context of use. The background context, clear explanations and sample exercises make this an ideal textbook for graduate students, as well as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners.

Prologue.- Reading and Interpreting Ethnography.- Using Curiosity, Creativity, and Surprise as Analytic Tools: Grounded Theory Method as a Way of Knowing in HCI.- Knowing by Doing: Action Research as an Approach to HCI.- Concepts, Values, and Methods for Technical Human-Computer Interaction Research.- Study, Build, Repeat: Using Online Communities as a Research Platform.- Field Deployments: Knowing from Using in Context.- Science and Design.- The Rise of Research through Design in HCI.- Experimental Research in HCI.- Surveys in HCI.- Crowdsourcing in HCI Research.- Sensor Data Streams.- Eye-tracking: A Brief Introduction.- Understanding User Behavior through Log Data and Analysis.- Looking Back: Retrospective Study Methods for HCI.- Agent Based Modeling to Inform the Design of Multiuser Systems.- Social Network Analysis.- Research and Ethics in HCI.- Epilogue.