ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on to research that centres on interculturality in international education. It reviews the major research paradigms that underpin investigations of interculturality in study abroad contexts: (post-)positivism, interpretivism, constructivism, critical theory, and pragmatism. The chapter looks at the connection between these paradigms and the research designs and methodologies that are commonly employed in intercultural study abroad research. It also focuses on the following frameworks: positivist, interpretivist, constructivist, and critical paradigms. The chapter discusses pragmatism or multi-paradigmatic research as it is becoming more prevalent in international educational contexts. It presents an ethnographic case study of student experience in an 11-week study abroad programme for Americans in Italy. The chapter also reviews the major conceptual frameworks and research traditions that are employed in intercultural study abroad research today. Although worldviews are often not spelled out clearly in publications and presentations, they should not be ignored as they influence both study abroad research and practice.
