Methods for studying the processes of interaction and collaborative activity in computer-based educational activities

Abstract

Drawing on the work of researchers in several disciplines, this article describes and discusses methods which can be used for analysing joint activity during computer-based, side-by-side, collaborative activity in educational settings. It is argued that the choice of methods in any particular study should take into account the range of well-founded methods which are available, rather than being guided only by researchers' established affinities for particular methods and paradigms. The positive and negative features of qualitative and quantitative methods are discussed. The complementary use of different types of methods is also discussed and exemplified.