Investigating the technology-work relationship: a critical comparison of three qualitative field methods

Researchers today are increasingly attempting to understand the relationship between technology and work through field methods. Surveying the field methods commonly used by researchers to observe such interactions, I critically discuss the assumptions underpinning three methods (ethnography, participatory design and contextual inquiry) and the strengths and weaknesses of each method. Comparing ways of looking at human-computer interaction across four categories (viz. theoretical bases, data collection methods, data analysis methods and design approaches), I provide guidelines for researchers who are considering ways to examine human interaction and work with computer technologies.