Quick and dirty: Lightweight methods for heavyweight research

There seems to be a need for more rapid, lower cost, exploratory, lightweight, responsive and revisable methods that can help with discovery based research in CSCW. A growing number of researchers are expressing frustration with the challenge of selecting or developing an appropriate research method, applying it in a CSCW context and then having to justify the legitimacy of that method in publications, and particularly through the peer review process. In this workshop we will share experiences in the design adaptation and use of lightweight research methods. We will explore ways to assess the validity, strengths, and weaknesses of these methods - and how to explain these and justify them to others.