Analytical methods
Content analysis of units of computer-mediated language (e.g. letters, words, sentences, messages, turns, narratives, exchanges, threads, archives) produced in naturalistic or experimental settings
Qualitative and/or quantitative
May be informed by theoretic models, e.g. Conversation Analysis, Text Linguistics, Critical Discourse Analysis, Interactional Sociolinguistics, Social Network Theory
May be supplemented by surveys, interviews, ethnographic observation, historical/comparative analysis, rhetorical analysis, socio-political criticism, etc.
Research interests and type of CMC (e.g. synchronous or asynchronous) influence choice of methods