Unit of Analysis as an Analytical Approach to HCI Research

Abstract

HCI frequently reflects on its central objects including common themes, methodology, contributions, or problem genres. We present an additional category of reflection - the unit ofanalysis - and a conceptual tool that shows how research can be expansive across different units of analysis. The conceptual tool integrates six common units of analysis: 1) hardware and software, 2) operating device, 3) interaction with device, 4) perform task, 5) activity integration, and 6) societal impact. We survey 138 papers to demonstrate how ‘unit of analysis’ is a general frame of reference in analysing HCI research. We identify two patterns of expansive research – progressive and leaping expansion. We reflect on the implications of the model and discuss how the framework and units of analysis can serve as an analytical aid in understanding research from an integrative perspective and play a generative role in identifying new ways of expanding existing research.