Intercultural communication study has become an increasingly prominent area of research in China. However, the majority of studies lack the application of scientific paradigms and methods. Also, the study of its paradigms and methods themselves is extremely rare. This paper summarizes the main paradigms and methods in intercultural communication research abroad, which consists of positivism, interpretivism, and criticism. Then, six related research methods are discussed in terms of definition, characteristics, research topic, data collection and analysis method. On this basis, the applications of paradigms and methods of intercultural communication research in China in the past 40 years have been reflected. Existing problems are demonstrated, and corresponding solutions are proposed as well. It is argued that the introduction and internalization of the paradigms and methods used by researchers abroad have important implications for the scientization and glocalization of intercultural communication research in China.