This book provides an accessible introduction to some of the methods and theoretical approaches for investigating foreign language (FL) interaction and exchange in online environments. Research approaches which can be applied to Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) are outlined, followed by discussion of the way in which tools and techniques for data-collection in diverse online contexts can contribute to our understanding of online foreign language interaction. The compilation of chapters presents a comprehensive overview of key issues in virtual, intercultural and multimodal research contexts and gives insight into the particular challenges and situations which this area of language learning implies. "Researching Online Foreign Language Interaction and Exchange" addresses the needs of researchers and new-comers to the area who are hoping to learn about the current state of the field by providing overviews of varying approaches and extensive literature review as well as extracts of real data to illustrate the theories, methods or issues in question. Contents include: (1) Researching Online Interaction and Exchange in Foreign Language Education: Introduction to the Volume (Melinda Dooly and Robert O'Dowd); (2) Accommodating Divergent Frameworks in Analysis of Technology-Mediated L2 Interaction (Jonathon Reinhardt); (3) Introducing Cultural Historical Activity Theory for Researching CMC in Foreign Language Education (Francoise Blin); (4) Researching Classroom Integration of Online Language Learning Projects: Mixed Methods Approaches (Paige Ware and Brenna Rivas); (6) Researching Multimodal Communicative Competence in Video and Audio Telecollaborative Encounters (Melinda Dooly and Mirjam Hauck); (7) The Classroom-Based Action Research Paradigm in Telecollaboration (Andreas Muller-Hartmann); (8) Language Learning in Virtual Worlds--Research Issues and Methods (Luisa Panichi and Mats Deutschmann); (9) Intercultural Competence in Computer-Mediated-Communication: An Analysis of Research Methods (Martina Mollering and Mike Levy); (10) Applying the Methodology of Learner Corpus Analysis to Telecollaborative Discourse (Nina Vyatkina); and (11) Using Eye-Tracking to Investigate Gaze Behaviour in Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication for Language Learning (Breffni O'Rourke).